The Bengal snapper (Lutjanus bengalensis) is a small tropical fish from the Indo-Pacific. It is easily recognized by its yellowish body crossed by four blue stripes. It mainly lives around coral reefs and can gather in small schools near underwater structures.

The Bengal snapper has a fairly elongated body that is slightly compressed from side to side. Its back and sides are yellow, while the belly is whitish. Four bright blue stripes run lengthwise along the sides of the body. Its fins are generally yellow with translucent tips, and its caudal fin is slightly forked.

This coloration makes it fairly easy to recognize underwater, but it can be confused with the common bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira), a closely related species that also has four blue stripes on a yellow body.

The Bengal snapper averages less than 8 inches in length, although the largest individuals can reach up to 12 inches.

The Bengal snapper inhabits tropical waters of the western Indo-Pacific, from the coasts of East Africa and the Red Sea to the Moluccas in Indonesia.

The Bengal snapper mainly lives on coral reefs, particularly in sheltered lagoons. It is generally found at depths between 33 and 82 feet and often stays near rocks and coral formations.

During the day, Bengal snappers may form small groups around underwater structures. They often remain close to reefs and coral heads, where they are easy to observe.

The Bengal snapper is a predator that feeds mainly on fish and crustaceans. It hunts its prey around reefs and rocky bottoms.

The reproduction of the Bengal snapper is still poorly understood. Scientists have little information about its breeding season, the age at which it reaches sexual maturity, and how it lays its eggs.

Its four blue stripes make it easy to recognize, but this coloration can lead to confusion with the common bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira), a closely related species that also has four blue stripes.

The bengal snapper is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The bengal snapper appears in the IUCN Red List since 2019 within the category Least Concern !

The Bengal snapper can be confused with the common bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira), which also has four blue stripes on a yellow body. To tell them apart, look particularly at the belly: the Bengal snapper's belly is generally whitish, while the common bluestripe snapper's is more yellow. The Bengal snapper is also smaller, and its body is generally more slender.