Black-and-white Snapper

Macolor niger, is a species of snapper native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It is an inhabitant of reefs, occurring in large schools along steeply sloping substrates at depths from 2 to 90 m (6.6 to 295.3 ft).

Description

The black and white snapper can reach a maximum length of 75 cm (30 in), though most do not exceed 35 cm (14 in). It is sometimes confused with its congener, the midnight snapper, M. macularis. Body is relatively deep and laterally compressed, greatest body depth 2.2-2.4 in SL; dorsal profile of head convex in adults, in oblique straight line in young; maxilla without scales or longitudinal ridges; preopercle with a deep notch (or gash) receiving elongate interopercular spine (none for individuals less than 16 cm SL); gill rakers of first gill arch 26-38 + 60-71 = 89-107; soft rays of dorsal fin usually 14, in anal fin 11, in pectoral fin 17; continuous dorsal fin with spinous portion distinctly notched in young; dorsal and anal fins distinctly pointed posteriorly, the soft ray of both fins, shorter than next to last ray; caudal fin rounded with middle rays elongated in small juveniles, slightly notched at intermediate sizes and emarginate in adults; pelvic fins short and rounded for all sizes; soft dorsal and anal fins with scales basally; tubed lateral-line scales 50-55; juveniles with very long pelvic fins.

Colour of adults is silvery grey, strongly blotched with blackish patches, lacks yellow on head and body and without blue markings on head and body, much duller iris; juveniles with black and white pattern but broader white area encompassing posterior head and adjacent body and with less than 5 white spots on back

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Samoa, north to central Japan, south to Australia.

Habitat

The black and white snapper is solitary when juvenile, but forms large schools as adults. They feed on crustaceans and small fishes.

Black and white snapper are prized as food fish and are caught commercially, as well as recreationally. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.