Overview
The sailfin snapper (or Symphorichthys spilurus), also known as the blue-lined sea bream, is a reef fish found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Maldives and Indonesia to northern Australia and the Solomon Islands. It inhabits coral reefs and adjacent areas. The species is easily recognised by its elongated dorsal fin and its silver to yellow body marked with bright blue horizontal lines and a distinctive dark spot near the base of the tail. Adult sailfin snappers reach lengths of 35cm to 50cm and typically weigh between 3kg to 6kg.
Found in Indo-Pacific reefs and coasts
Regions
Biomes
Appearance
Adult
Juvenile
Size & weight
Size
Length: 50 cm
Weight
Male
1.3 kg
Female
1.3 kg
Bars use a log scale against the heaviest animal in the Zoopedia, the Common Hippopotamus.
Juvenile
Juvenile weight
500 g
Measured as Length. The person stands 1.75 m tall for scale.
Habitat requirements
Barrier grade
Grade 1 of 5
Minimum height
1 m minimum
Climbing & water
Climb proof
Not needed
Water barrier
Not allowed
Habitat needs
Minimum area
Deep water
40 m² + 40 m² per extra animal
Environment
Temperature
22 to 29°C
Plant coverage
20-60%
Water salinity
Saltwater
Enclosure
Aquarium
Terrain
- Sand 30-80%
- Soil 0-20%
- Rock 20-70%
Diet and enrichment
Diet
- Krill
- Shrimp
Enrichment items
Conservation
IUCN Red List
Least concern
Least concern
Critically endangered
The sailfin snapper is considered a species of Least Concern. It is caught by mixed species fisheries across its Indo-Pacific range using handlines and bottom trawls, which can remove adults before they have a chance to reproduce. Large spawning aggregations at specific reef slopes concentrate many individuals in one place and are especially vulnerable to over-exploitation. Although poorly documented for this species, deterioration of coral reef and adjacent habitats due to sedimentation, destructive fishing and coral bleaching affects its ability to feed, hide, and spawn. One mitigation strategy is to identify and protect aggregation sites through seasonal closures timed around spawning waves. Additionally, some sailfin snappers are now being grown in aquaculture for the aquarium trade rather than wild-collected, reducing direct pressure on wild populations. Overall, the conservation of this species will benefit from improved data on maturity age, population trends, aggregation sites, as well as established protections for spawning aggregations and sustainable fishing practices.
Zoopedia sketchbook
Social & reproduction
Keeper notes
Sailfin snappers are moderately social fish. They are often observed swimming in small groups or loose schools, especially around coral reef slopes and sandy areas adjacent to reefs. For sailfin snappers in the wild, spawning begins on or after the full moon and occurs when currents are directed offshore. Under these circumstances, large aggregations gather for spawning at specific reef-slope sites in contrast to their normal solitary or loosely grouped behaviour. Males have been observed chasing females in the spawning rush and only one or a few males may successfully fertilise eggs during the chase. Depending on the size of the female, thousands of eggs will develop in the open water after fertilisation during the spawning aggregation, after which larvae drift and settle in suitable reef or rubble habitat. The specific age of sexual maturity is not well documented. It is likely similar to other snapper species that reach maturity between 3 and 7 years old.
Group and breeding
Group
Group size
1-10 (up to 1 male, up to 10 females)
Male bachelor group
1
Female bachelor group
1-10
Offspring dispersal
All offspring
Lifecycle and breeding
Life expectancy
16-20 years
Age of sexual maturity
4 years
Age of sexual sterility
Death
Interbirth period
6 months
Litter size
1-6
Mating system
Promiscuous
Mating season
Autumn
Reproduction in captivity
Difficult
Dominance
Aggressive over limited resources
Research
Research levels
| Level | Unlocks | Research gate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: at least 5 objects or plants with the Rocks tag; Sailfin Snapper Fact Sheet | |
| Level 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: at least 12 objects or plants with the Coral tag; Fertility Level 1 (+15% fertility) | |
| Level 3 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Release groups and release to the wild | |
| Level 4 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 50% native plants | |
| Level 5 | Thriving Requirement 5: Coarse Sand terrain; Fertility Level 2 (+30% fertility) |
Researched by
Vets
Researched at
Habitat or exhibit and Research Centre
Every level of this species' research, with its unlock conditions.
Release groups
Valid release groups
| Group | Type | Animals |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed Group | Mixed group | 5 males, 5 females |
| Solitary Male | Solitary male | 1 male |
| Solitary Female | Solitary female | 1 female |
| Breeding Partners | Breeding partners | 1 male, 1 female |
Release groups, reserve requirements and the roles this species fills.
Animal facts
- The sailfin snapper is the only known species of the genus Symphorichthys.
- The sailfin snapper’s species name, ‘spilurus’, means ‘spot tail’ in Ancient Greek, so named after this distinctive feature.
- Sailfin snappers are known to form spawning aggregations of up to 50,000 individuals.
- In some areas, locals are discouraged from eating sailfin snappers as they are likely to contain high amounts of ciguatoxin; a toxin produced in algae that causes gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms.
- The sailfin snapper is so named for the long, filamentous extension of its fin that looks like a sail.
Taxonomy
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
