Blubberlip snapper (Lutjanus rivulatus)

Scientific name: Lutjanus rivulatus Cuvier, 1828

The Blubberlip snapper (Lutjanus rivulatus) is a marine fish of the family Lutjanidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, East Africa to Tahiti, north to southern Japan, south to Australia.

Biology

Occasionally encountered in coral reefs or shallow inshore flats. Found singly or in small groups (up to 15 to 20 individuals). Adults on deep coastal slopes; juveniles on shallow algae-reef flats, often near freshwater run-offs. Feeds on fishes, cephalopods and benthic crustaceans. An excellent food fish. In Hong Kong live fish markets. Minimum depth reported taken from.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Lutjanus rivulatus
Family: Lutjanidae (Snappers)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 80.0
Common length: 60.0
Depth range: 50–100 m (164–328 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 50 - 100 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Tahiti, north to southern Japan, south to Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.22)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026