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Blackfin Snapper | Cubera Snapper | Dog Snapper | Gray Snapper | Lane Snapper
Mahogany Snapper | Mutton
Snapper | Queen Snapper | Red
Snapper
Schoolmaster | Silk Snapper | Vermilion Snapper | Yellowtail
Snapper
| Description: color generally red, with yellowish
caudal, anal, and pelvic fins; distinctive and prominent dark comma-shaped blotch at the
base of the pectoral fins, which gives the fish its common name; anal fin rounded; no
black spot on side underneath dorsal fin. Similar fish: other snappers. |
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| Where found: adults OFFSHORE near
continental shelf. Size: common to 20 inches, larger individuals seeking deeper waters. |
Remarks: sometimes marketed as red snapper; feeds on smaller fishes. |
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| Description: color dark brown or gray, may have a
reddish tinge; broad-based triangular tooth patch on roof of mouth without a posterior
extension; despite its specific name, which translated to "blue-fin," the fins
have only a slight tinge of blue; canine teeth in both jaws very strong; one pair of
canines enlarged and visible even when mouth is closed. Similar fish: gray snapper; L.griseus (gray snapper has anchor-shaped tooth patch on roof of mouth); other snappers. |
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| Where found: Juveniles INSHORE in grass beds;
adults OFFSHORE or NEARSHORE over wrecks, reefs, and ledges. Size: common to 40 pounds |
Remarks: the largest of the snappers,
ranging to 125 pounds; not common anywhere in its range; feeds on fishes and larger
crustaceans; in the Keys, spawns during late summer. Florida record 116 lbs. |
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| Description: color brown with a bronze tinge,
lighter on sides; canine teeth very sharp, one pair notably enlarged, visible even when
mouth is closed; in adults, pale triangle and a light blue interrupted line below the eye;
no dark spot on body underneath dorsal fin. Similar fish: schoolmaster, L. apodus (no white triangle under eye, and fins are more yellow); other snappers. |
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| Where found: large adults OFFSHORE over coral and
rocky reefs; juveniles associated with estuaries. Size: large snapper, attaining 30 pounds. |
Remarks: spawns from spring through fall; known as night feeder; taking fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans. |
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| Description: color dark brown or gray with reddish or
orange spots in rows along the sides; dark horizontal band from snout through eye (young
only); two conspicuous canine teeth at front of upper jaw; dorsal fins have dark or
reddish borders; no dark spot on side underneath dorsal fin. Similar fish: Cubera snapper, L. cyanopterus. |
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| Where found: juveniles INSHORE in tidal creeks,
mangroves, and grass beds; adults generally NEARSHORE or OFFSHORE on coral or rocky reefs. Size: offshore catches common 8 to 10 pounds. |
Remarks: spawns June through August; feeds on
crustaceans and small fish. Florida record 16 lbs., 8 ozs. |
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| Description: color silvery-pink to reddish with short,
irregular pink and yellow lines on its sides; diffused black spot, about as large as the
eye; the dorsal fin centered above the lateral line; outer margin of caudal fin blackish. Similar fish: mutton snapper, L. analis (anal fin rounded in lane snapper, pointed in mutton). |
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| Where found: juveniles INSHORE over grass beds or
shallow reefs; adults OFFSHORE; most common in south Florida. Size: usually less than 1 pound. |
Remarks: spawns March to September, sexually mature at 6
inches; feeds on the bottom, taking crustaceans, mollusks, and fish. Florida record 6 lbs., 6 ozs. |
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| Description: color grayish-olive with a reddish tinge;
conspicuous dark spot, about the size of the eye, below the soft dorsal fin, 1/4 to 1/2 of
it below the lateral line; the large eye and caudal fin are bright red; lower margin of
the preopercle has prominent spur with strong and sharp serrations. Similar fish: lane snapper, L. synagris (also with dark spot below soft dorsal, the blotch placed higher in relation to the lateral line). |
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| Where found: NEARSHORE or OFFSHORE in clear, highly
saline water, usually over reefs. Size: relatively small snapper, common to 15 inches. |
Remarks: the Spanish name, ojanco, refers to its large eyes; a night feeder, with diet of smaller fishes. |
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| Description: color olive green on back and upper sides,
all fins below the lateral line having reddish tinge; bright blue line below eye,
following contour of operculum; anal fin pointed; small black spot below dorsal fin;
V-shaped tooth patch on roof of mouth. Similar fish: lane snapper, L synagris (anal fin pointed in mutton snapper, rounded in lane) |
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| Where found: an INSHORE species associated with
grassbeds, mangroves, and canals: larger adults occasionally found on OFFSHORE reefs. Size: common to 15 pounds. |
Remarks: spawns in July and August; feeds on fish,
crustaceans, and snails. Florida record 27 lbs., 6 ozs. |
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| Description: color of back and upper sides red,
lower sides silvery; body long and slender; dorsal fin distinctly notched; large eyes;
caudal fin deeply forked; no dark lateral spot. Similar fish: other snappers. |
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| Where found: OFFSHORE over rocky reefs of the
continental shelf to 450 feet; young suspend at mid-depths. Size: small species, usually less than 20 inches. |
Remarks: little is known, but it is reported that adults live at depths greater than 400 feet. |
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| Description: color pinkish red over entire body, whitish
below; long triangular snout; anal fin sharply pointed; no dark lateral spot. Similar fish: vermilion snapper, R. aurorubens. |
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| Where found: OFFSHORE on the continental shelf,
more plentiful off the Panhandle than in south or middle Florida. Size: to 20 pounds. |
Remarks: juveniles occur over sandy or mud bottoms
and are often taken in shrimp trawls; adults may live more than 20 years, and attain 35
pounds or more; sexual maturity attained at age 2; spawns June to October; feeds on
crustacean and fish. Florida record 46 lbs., 8 ozs. |
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| Description: color olive gray on upper sides with yellow
tinge, sometimes with reddish tinge around head; long triangular snout; eight pale
vertical bars on the side of the body; yellow fins; blue stripe below eye, becoming
interrupted in adults; no dark lateral spot. Similar fish: dog snapper, L. jocu; other snappers. |
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| Where found: juveniles in grass flats; adults NEARSHORE
especially around elkhorn coral reefs; large adults sometimes found on continental shelf. Size: usually less than 1 pound. |
Remarks: spawns July and August; attain sizes of 8 pounds and 24 inches; slow grower; feeds on crustaceans, small fishes, and gastropods. |
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| Description: back and upper sides pinkish red,
shading to silvery sides with undulating yellow lines; pectorals pale yellow; back edge of
caudal fin blackish; anal fin pointed; no dark lateral spot. Similar fish: red snapper, L. campechanus. |
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| Where found: OFFSHORE over rocky ledges in very deep
water; most common in south Florida. Size: usually less than 5 pounds. |
Remarks: little is known. |
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| Description: color of entire body reddish, with a
series of short, irregular lines on its sides, diagonal blue lines formed by spots on the
scales above the lateral line; sometimes with yellow streaks below the lateral line; large
canine teeth absent; orientation of mouth and eye give it the appearance of looking
upward; no dark lateral spot. Similar fish: red snapper, L. campechanus (anal fin of red snapper has midpoint like a triangle). |
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| Where found: suspends at mid-depths over rocky
reefs OFFSHORE. Size: usually less than 1 pound. |
Remarks: spawns April to September, females maturing at 3 to 4 years of age; grows slowly; attains a weight of 7 pounds and length of 24 inches; feeds on small, swimming crustaceans and mollusks. |
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| Description: back and upper sides olive to bluish with
yellow spots; lower sides and belly with alternating narrow, longitudinal pink and yellow
stripes; prominent midlateral yellow stripe begins at mouth and runs to tail, broadening
as it passes the dorsal fins; caudal fin yellow and deeply forked; no dark lateral spot. Similar fish: none. |
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| Where found: juveniles INSHORE on grassbeds and back
reefs; adults NEARSHORE or OFFSHORE over sandy areas near reefs. Size: common to 3 pounds. |
Remarks: found mainly in tropical waters; spawns in
midsummer; rarely exceeds 30 inches and 5 pounds in size; feeds on small fish and
invertebrates. Florida record 7 lbs., 5 ozs. |
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