Black Snapper - Macolor niger - Small Juvenile

The Black Snapper (Macolor niger) is an unusual and very large fish for the home aquarium. Juvenile Black Snappers are black and white with long fins while adults are very different with a dark, blotchy silver coloration and short fins.

Although Snappers may be popular with seafood enthusiasts, many are also popular aquarium fish. Snappers are usually found more in the open water or higher in the water than many other aquarium fish. The adult fish is often very different in coloration and even shape than juveniles, and many grow too large or active for most home aquariums.

The "true" Snappers" about 100 total - come from the Lutjanidae family although some other types of fish may have "Snapper" in their common name. They are predators and will eat almost anything small enough to fit into their considerably-sized mouths, including small fish and invertebrates like shrimp and crabs. Most will not eat or disturb corals and sessile (stationary) invertebrates but species that perch on surfaces may irritate or damage the corals by this behavior alone. Most of these fish also grow very large and need a very large aquarium with ample filtration to accommodate them.