Common name: Two spot red snapper

Scientific name: Lutjanus bohar (Forsskål, 1775)
Kupferschnapper oder Doppelfleck-Schnapper / Two-spot red snapper or Twinspot Snapper / Lutjanus bohar.Twinspot snapper, with big school in the background.

General information

The Two-spot Red Snapper, scientifically known as Lutjanus bohar, is a striking fish species popular among advanced aquarists. It is known for its robust body, vivid red coloration, and the characteristic two black spots on its back. This species is not recommended for beginners due to its large size and aggressive nature.

In the wild, the Bohar Snapper is a top predator, feeding on a variety of fish and invertebrates. It's important for hobbyists to understand that this species can grow quite large, reaching up to 90 cm in length, and requires a very spacious tank to accommodate its size and swimming behavior.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
1,000 liter (260 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 8 to 8.4
Average size
80 cm (2′7″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs large space and varied diet
Diet
Carnivore Prefers live prey, accepts frozen foods
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept singly
Reefsafe
No May prey on smaller fish/inverts
Aggression
Aggresive Aggressive, especially to conspecifics
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Snappers
    Lutjanidae
  6. Genus
    Snappers
    Lutjanus
  7. Species
    Two spot red snapper
    Lutjanus bohar (Forsskål, 1775)
  8. Synonyms
    Diacope labuan Montrouzier, 1857
    Diacope quadriguttata Cuvier, 1828
    Lutianus bobar (Forsskål, 1775)
    Lutianus bohar (Forsskål, 1775)
    Lutianus nukuhivae Seale, 1906
    Lutjanus coatesi Whitley, 1934
    Lutjanus rangus (Cuvier, 1828)
    Mesoprion rangus Cuvier, 1828
    Mesoprion rubens Macleay, 1882
    Sciaena bohar Forsskål, 1775
    Sparus lepisurus Lacepède, 1802

Care

Caring for the Two-spot Red Snapper involves providing a large and well-structured aquarium with plenty of open swimming space and hiding places. Due to their size and territorial behavior, they are best kept in a species-only tank or with other large, non-competitive fish. A varied diet of meaty foods such as fish, squid, and crustaceans is essential for their health.

Reproduction

Reproduction of Lutjanus bohar in home aquariums is rare and challenging. In the wild, they are known to form spawning aggregations, and their larvae are pelagic, drifting with the currents until they settle on the reef.

Habitat

The Two-spot Red Snapper is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They prefer reef environments, often seen around coral outcrops and ledges, and can be found at depths ranging from 1 to over 100 meters.