Lutjanus fulvus
A reliable reef sighting in French Polynesia's Society Islands and Hawaii, in warm 24-29C water year-round.
Compact, deep-bodied snapper around 28 cm, silvery-grey to golden-brown with faint pale stripes running along the flanks. The giveaway is the dark blotch at the base of the tail, edged with a yellow band, which stays visible even at a distance. Fins are washed yellow, and the body has a slightly humped profile typical of snappers, distinguishing it from the flatter reef fish it shares space with.
Usually seen hovering alone or in loose small groups near reef structure, ledges and coral heads rather than out in the open water. It tends to hold its ground rather than bolt when divers approach slowly, though it will keep a bit of distance. Most sightings are during the day around shallower reef zones, with more active hunting expected around dusk given its carnivorous habits.
Despite being logged at hundreds of sites, it is rated uncommon rather than abundant at most of them, so spotting one is more a matter of checking ledges and coral cover carefully than expecting a school.
No clear seasonal pattern shows up in the sightings, and its comfort range of 24.6 to 29 C covers tropical reefs year-round, so any month is a reasonable bet at these sites.
Reef neighbours a diver could mistake it for. Use the identification notes above to tell them apart.
Most reliably logged in French Polynesia, especially around the Society Islands, and a strong presence in Hawaii. It also turns up regularly in the Philippines' Visayas, around Koror and Malakal in Palau, across Indonesia including Sulawesi and Raja Ampat, plus sites in Queensland and Taiwan's Kenting coast.
Mapping where Blacktail Snapper is logged…
French Polynesia's Society Islands and Hawaii are the most consistent spots, with good numbers also in the Philippines' Visayas, Palau's Koror and Malakal area, and Indonesia's Sulawesi and Raja Ampat.
There is no strong season in the sightings data. It stays within a 24.6 to 29 C comfort range, so it is present on tropical reefs throughout the year.
Look for a silvery to golden-brown body around 28 cm long with a dark blotch at the base of the tail edged in yellow, plus yellow-tinged fins. It has the deep-bodied, slightly humped shape typical of snappers.
They typically reach around 28 cm, a modest size that keeps them tucked near reef structure rather than roaming open water.
No, they pose no danger to divers and generally hold steady near the reef rather than reacting defensively to a slow approach.
Site and sighting data is aggregated from diver logs, iNaturalist and GBIF. For taxonomy and conservation status:
Emperor
2,055 sites
