Two-spot red snapper (Lutjanus bohar) is a saltwater, freshwater, brackish species recorded in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 0–180 m. The main season in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia runs all year.
Scientific name: Lutjanus bohar · Water: Saltwater, Freshwater, Brackish · Season: All year
Size: up to 90 cm
The two-spot red snapper can live 55 years, commonly reaching about 76 cm and up to 90 cm, maturing at about 43 cm. Adults live on coral reefs including sheltered lagoons and outer reefs, usually alone beside steep outer reef slopes but sometimes in groups. Fishes dominate the diet, along with shrimps, crabs, amphipods, stomatopods, gastropods and urochordates. Juveniles mimic Chromis damselfishes and swim in their schools. Large individuals from oceanic parts of the western Pacific are often ciguatoxic, for example in Tuvalu. Taken mainly by handline and bottom longline and sold fresh, or dried and salted.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
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