Black and white snapper

The black and white snapper (Macolor niger) is a species of snapper native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It is an inhabitant of reefs, occurring in large schools along steeply sloping substrates at depths from 2 to 90 m (6.6 to 295.3 ft).[1]

Black and white snapper
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Lutjanidae
Genus:
Macolor
Species:
M. niger
Binomial name
Macolor niger
(Forsskål, 1775)
Synonyms
  • Sciaena nigra Forsskål, 1775
  • Diacope macolor Lesson, 1827
  • Macolor macolor (Lesson, 1827)
  • Macolor typus Bleeker, 1860

The black and white snapper can reach a maximum length of 75 cm (30 in), though most do not exceed 35 cm (14 in).[1] Its fins and eyes are black and its body varies in color from light grey to black depending on age. Juveniles are typically striped, changing in complete black when adult. The black and white snapper is solitary when juvenile, but forms large schools as adults. They feed on crustaceans and small fishes.[1] It is sometimes confused with its congener, the midnight snapper, M. macularis.

Black and white snapper are prized as food fish and are caught commercially, as well as recreationally. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.[1]

Young M. niger showing the juvenile coloration

References
  1. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Macolor niger" in FishBase. December 2013 version.
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