Description:

Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal rays: 14-15; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 7-8.

Body moderately deep. Posterior profile of dorsal and anal fins somewhat angular.

Colour. Bright yellow dorsally and laterally with four, dark edged, light blue stripes. White ventrally with several thin yellow stripes which distinguish it from the 
Bengal snapper (L. bengalensis). Fins yellow. Black spot sometimes visible on lateral line below middle of dorsal fin.

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range 17-25 cm TL. Max Length: 40 cm TL. Commonly 25 cm TL.

(Heemstra: matures at 18-23 cm TL). 

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits coral and rocky reefs, occurring in both shallow lagoons and outer reef slopes (depth 3-265 m, usually 15-40 m). Juveniles inhabit seagrass beds around patch reefs.

Feeds mostly on fishes, and also consumes a variety of crustaceans. Frequently found in large aggregations around coral formations, caves or wrecks during daylight hours. 
This species displays high site-fidelity. Spawns in small groups.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap and the hand line fisheries, it is a regular but not usually abundant 
component of the catch.  

Notes:

Shares the Creole name “Madras” with L. bengalensis.

References:

Allen, G.R. (1985). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 6 Snappers of the World. UNFAO Rome 1985.
Bray, D.J. (2019). Lutjanus kasmira in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/559 (26/03/19).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Lutjanus-kasmira.html  (26/03/19).
Heemstra P & Heemstra, E. (2004). Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. NISC SAIAB. ISBN: 1-920033-01-7.
Nevill, J. (2013). A Species Identification Guide for Commonly Caught Fish in the Seychelles Near-Shore Artisanal Fishery. GOS/UNDP/GEF.
Russell, B. et al. (2016). Lutjanus kasmira. The IUCN Red List 2016: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T194337A2314753.en. (26/03/19).

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Lutjanus kasmira, Common bluestripe snapper. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/lutjanus-kasmira-forsskal-1775/ (edited 20/07/22).