All fish / Lutjanidae

Sailfin Snapper

Symphorichthys spilurus

Also known as blue-lined sea bream, sailfin snapper, threadfin snapper, majestic snapper, blueline snapper, sail fin snapper, ヒレフエダイ, 帆鳍笛鲷, 丝条长鳍笛鲷

Juveniles are striking, with yellow and blue horizontal lines, a black spot on the tail base and long trailing threads on the dorsal and anal fins. Adults turn deeper bodied and duller with blue lines on a yellowish to grey body. It is kept as a showpiece fish for very large aquariums and public displays.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

45 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

2000 litres

Keep as

Singly in a very large system

Diet

Carnivore: chopped seafood, shrimp, squid, krill and quality marine pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Philippines and Indonesia to northern Australia, New Caledonia and Palau

Breeding

It scatters pelagic eggs in open water and has not been bred in home aquariums. Captive breeding is not practical for hobbyists.

Good to know

Small juveniles grow into fish of 45 to 60 cm, so they need a huge tank, and they will eat small fish and crustaceans. Only house them with tankmates that are too big to swallow.