Lutjanus apodus

Behavior:

Schoolmaster snapper are found in shallow coastal waters in coral reefs and mangrove habitats – adults are often associated with elkhorn corals while younger individuals sometimes enter brackish waters. They feed on crustaceans and cephalopods, although adults also show a preference for fish once their mouth can open wide enough to catch them.

Predators:

Moray eels, sharks, large grouper and barracuda.

Did you know?

The scientific name, Lutjanus apodus, means “snapper without foot”. The reason for this odd name it that the original classification of the species in 1792, was based on an illustration that mistakenly omitted the pectoral fins. As such, it was believed that this fish lacked these fins when it was named.