by Stan & Debbie Hauter
Photo use courtesy of Brian Tissot's
Hawai'i Coral Reef Network
Marine Fishes Of Hawai'i - Snapper'sCommon Name: Blue-Lined Snapper
Blue-Stripe Snapper
Hawaiian Name: Ta'ape
Scientific Name: Lutjanus kasmira
Source Info: Fishes of Hawaii
by Spencer Wilkie Tinker
The body of this fish is bright yellow with four, light blue lines with narrow, brown borders extending lengthwise on the body.The Blue-Lined Snapper was imported from the Marquesas Islands and released into Hawaiian waters in 1958, and again from Moorea in the Society Islands in 1961. The purpose was to increase available food fish resources in Hawaii.
One concern with humans eating this fish is the potential for it to be a ciguatera carrier. Many Countries have warnings about eating Red Snapper in particular, but with this fish being related in the Snapper Fish Family, they can be susceptible to it. Ciguatera is a toxin that builds up in the systems of some reef, algae eating fishes like Tangs/Surgeons, Groupers and Parrot Fish. Other predatory fishes can accumulate the same toxin by eating these fishes. It is not toxic to the fish themselves, but if a person consumes fishes that have ciguatera poisoning it can cause illness, and in severe cases, hospitalization. Our speculation is that with the concern of these fish having ciguatera poisoning, the consumption of the Blue-Lined Snapper has lessened. In turn this has allowed the fish to multiplied in large numbers over the years. The exact impact that the Blue-Lined Snapper has had on other natural Hawaiian fish species is not known at this time.
The distribution of this species includes Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, the East Indies, and the areas westward to the Red Sea.
This fish generally lives in the deeper waters of the reef in large schools. From our own experience we do not see this fish when we are diving until we are at about 50-60 feet. It is a beautiful fish to watch as they swim together in their large groups with their bright yellow and blue colors. It is a communal fish and will get along with each other in tank life.
This fish can reach an average length of about 12 inches. If you expect to have one, or more, be sure you have a large tank to keep it in.
This fish in a Carnivore and will eat crustaceans like crabs and shrimp, along with other smaller marine fishes. Like most Carnivores, if it is something they can get their mouth around they will try and eat it. It will adapt to eating just about any type of tank fed foods you give them, it's not picky.
