Lutjanus semicinctus
Bold zebra-striped snapper most reliably logged around Raja Ampat, Indonesia in warm 26-29C reef water year-round.
Look for a stocky, deep-bodied snapper with 5 to 6 broad dark bands running vertically down a pale silvery-grey body, giving it a zebra-like look against the reef. It tops out around 24 cm, so it's a modest-sized fish, often seen hovering close to structure rather than out in open water. The banding is the giveaway: bolder and more contrasted than most reef snappers, and it tends to hold near caves, overhangs or reef walls rather than schooling in the open.
Divers most often find this snapper hovering near reef ledges, caves and overhangs, sometimes alone and sometimes in small loose groups rather than tight schools. It tends to hold its position near shelter and lets divers approach reasonably close before easing back into cover, more cautious than curious. Most sightings come from daytime reef dives where it's tucked against structure rather than out cruising the water column.
The bold banding is thought to help break up its outline against the dappled light and shadow of reef crevices, which is likely why it's logged as uncommon at most sites rather than out in the open where it would be easier to spot.
No clear seasonal pattern shows up in the data, and with a comfortable range of 26.4 to 28.9C it's present on these tropical reefs year-round. Plan around general dive conditions in Raja Ampat, Efate or Palau rather than a specific month.
Reef neighbours a diver could mistake it for. Use the identification notes above to tell them apart.
Raja Ampat in Indonesia is by far the strongest area for this species, with a reliable spread of sightings across its reefs, followed by Efate in Vanuatu and the Rock Islands of Palau. Indonesia overall carries the bulk of logged encounters, making it the first place to look if this fish is on your list.
Mapping where Black-banded Snapper is logged…
Raja Ampat in Indonesia is the strongest area, with further sightings around Efate in Vanuatu and the Rock Islands of Palau. It's typically an uncommon to occasionally common find rather than a guaranteed sighting.
There's no strong seasonal pattern in sightings, and it lives in warm 26.4 to 28.9C water year-round, so any time of year on these reefs works.
Look for a stocky grey-silver snapper around 24 cm with 5 to 6 bold dark vertical bands, usually seen hovering near caves, overhangs or reef walls rather than in open water.
They typically reach around 24 cm, making them a small to mid-sized snapper compared to open-water schooling species.
No, they're not considered dangerous to divers and are generally cautious, holding near reef structure rather than approaching or acting defensively.
Site and sighting data is aggregated from diver logs, iNaturalist and GBIF. For taxonomy and conservation status:
Emperor
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