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South Florida Gamefish Species
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
The mangrove snapper, Lutjanus griseus, is a snapper in the family
Lutjanidae. It is also known as the grey snapper, black snapper, mango
snapper, or cabellerote.
Its color is typically greyish red, but it can change color from bright red to
coppery red. It has a dark stripe running through its eye if you look at it
from the top when it is underwater. Its size ranges from 2–6 pounds (1–3
kg) but many biologists have now confirmed that a 29.5 pound (13.4 kg)
mangrove snapper was speared off of the coast of Louisiana.
Lutjanidae. It is also known as the grey snapper, black snapper, mango
snapper, or cabellerote.
Its color is typically greyish red, but it can change color from bright red to
coppery red. It has a dark stripe running through its eye if you look at it
from the top when it is underwater. Its size ranges from 2–6 pounds (1–3
kg) but many biologists have now confirmed that a 29.5 pound (13.4 kg)
mangrove snapper was speared off of the coast of Louisiana.
The mangrove snapper can be confused with the cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus. Mangrove snappers
are typically much smaller than cubera, but when they are of similar size, the two species can only be
distinguished by examining a patch of teeth on the inside roof of the mouth. Many specimens caught in
Florida, specifically Punta Gorda, are actually misidentified Dogtooth Snapper, AKA Dog Snapper Lutjanus
jocu. The best ay to distinguish is that the Dogtooth Snapper has a lighter triangle of color with a blue band
under the eye, and large, sharp fangs in the front, leading to its common name. These fangs can deliver a
painful bite, even in a small fish.
are typically much smaller than cubera, but when they are of similar size, the two species can only be
distinguished by examining a patch of teeth on the inside roof of the mouth. Many specimens caught in
Florida, specifically Punta Gorda, are actually misidentified Dogtooth Snapper, AKA Dog Snapper Lutjanus
jocu. The best ay to distinguish is that the Dogtooth Snapper has a lighter triangle of color with a blue band
under the eye, and large, sharp fangs in the front, leading to its common name. These fangs can deliver a
painful bite, even in a small fish.
Lane Snapper
The lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) is silvery-pink to reddish in color,
with short, irregular pink and yellow lines on its sides; diffuse black spot,
about as large as the eye; the dorsal fin centered above the lateral line;
outer margin of caudal fin blackish. Similar fish are the mutton snapper,
Lutjanus analis, and the mangrove snapper, Lutjanus griseus.
with short, irregular pink and yellow lines on its sides; diffuse black spot,
about as large as the eye; the dorsal fin centered above the lateral line;
outer margin of caudal fin blackish. Similar fish are the mutton snapper,
Lutjanus analis, and the mangrove snapper, Lutjanus griseus.
Juveniles are found inshore over grass beds or shallow reefs. Adults are found offshore off wrecks and on
reefs. The lane snapper is abundant in South Florida (specifically in the Florida Keys), extending down into the
Caribbean and East into the Bahamas. The Florida record is 6 lb 6 oz (2.9 kg).
The lane snapper spawns March through September; sexually mature at 6 inches (15 cm); feeds on bottom,
taking crustaceans, mollusks, and smaller fish. The lane snapper, like other species of snapper, is prized for
its tasty white meat.
reefs. The lane snapper is abundant in South Florida (specifically in the Florida Keys), extending down into the
Caribbean and East into the Bahamas. The Florida record is 6 lb 6 oz (2.9 kg).
The lane snapper spawns March through September; sexually mature at 6 inches (15 cm); feeds on bottom,
taking crustaceans, mollusks, and smaller fish. The lane snapper, like other species of snapper, is prized for
its tasty white meat.
Mutton Snapper
Lutjanus analis is a deep-bodied and compressed snapper that may
reach lengths of 30 – 77 cm (1 - 2.5 feet). It is common in inland and
nearshore waters to approximately 6.8 kg (15 pounds). The dorsal fin is
continuous with 9 - 11 (usually 10) slender dorsal spines, the fourth of
which is the longest. The angulate soft dorsal fin has 13-14 rays. The
caudal fin is deeply emarginate. The anal fin is pointed and has 3 spines,
the second and third equal in length, and 8 anal rays. The pectoral fins
are long, reaching past the anus. Scales are small and ctenoid, with 47-
51 lateral lines scales.
reach lengths of 30 – 77 cm (1 - 2.5 feet). It is common in inland and
nearshore waters to approximately 6.8 kg (15 pounds). The dorsal fin is
continuous with 9 - 11 (usually 10) slender dorsal spines, the fourth of
which is the longest. The angulate soft dorsal fin has 13-14 rays. The
caudal fin is deeply emarginate. The anal fin is pointed and has 3 spines,
the second and third equal in length, and 8 anal rays. The pectoral fins
are long, reaching past the anus. Scales are small and ctenoid, with 47-
51 lateral lines scales.
There are 12-13 gill rakers on the lower limb of the gill arch. The head profile is steep and straight to the tip of
the snout. The eyes are small. The mouth is large and terminal, with the maxilla just reaching the front of the
orbit. The upper and lower jaws, as well as the vomer have bands of villiform teeth. In addition, the upper jaw
has 6 canine teeth, 4 of which are enlarged. The preopercule is coarsely serrated along its entire edge, and is
shallowly notched at the angle. Body color is variable depending upon the activity of the fish. Adults are olive
green dorsally, becoming paler laterally and ventrally. The ventral surface is reddish, as are all of the fins.
The margin of the caudal fin is black. The snout bears an irregular blue line that reaches the posterior of the
eye. A second blue line runs from the maxilla to the eye. A prominent black spot lies above the lateral line
below the soft portion of the dorsal fin. When not active, the mutton snapper may evhibit a series of 10-12 dark
vertical bars that run the length of the body.
the snout. The eyes are small. The mouth is large and terminal, with the maxilla just reaching the front of the
orbit. The upper and lower jaws, as well as the vomer have bands of villiform teeth. In addition, the upper jaw
has 6 canine teeth, 4 of which are enlarged. The preopercule is coarsely serrated along its entire edge, and is
shallowly notched at the angle. Body color is variable depending upon the activity of the fish. Adults are olive
green dorsally, becoming paler laterally and ventrally. The ventral surface is reddish, as are all of the fins.
The margin of the caudal fin is black. The snout bears an irregular blue line that reaches the posterior of the
eye. A second blue line runs from the maxilla to the eye. A prominent black spot lies above the lateral line
below the soft portion of the dorsal fin. When not active, the mutton snapper may evhibit a series of 10-12 dark
vertical bars that run the length of the body.
Vermilion Snapper
Vermilion snapper have streamlined bodies, are pale to silver white
below and vermilion above. Narrow yellow-gold streaks, some horozontal
and others oblique, occur below the lateral line. The dorsal fin is rosy
colored with a yellow margin. The caudal fin is red , but has a faint black
margin.
below and vermilion above. Narrow yellow-gold streaks, some horozontal
and others oblique, occur below the lateral line. The dorsal fin is rosy
colored with a yellow margin. The caudal fin is red , but has a faint black
margin.
The vermilion snapper is found in tropical waters of the western Atlantic from Cape Hatteras to southeastern
Brazil, including Bermuda, the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico. The preferred habitat is irregular reeflike
bottom in waters ranging in depth from 80-350 feet. In some areas, the species is replaced by its close relative,
the yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus, which occupies the same type of habitat. All vermilion snapper are
mature at 2 years of age and 7.9" total length. Multiple spawning is characteristic of the species, taking place
from April to September. Vermilion snapper can reach lengths up to 24 inches, feeding on small animals found
high in the water column.
Brazil, including Bermuda, the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico. The preferred habitat is irregular reeflike
bottom in waters ranging in depth from 80-350 feet. In some areas, the species is replaced by its close relative,
the yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus, which occupies the same type of habitat. All vermilion snapper are
mature at 2 years of age and 7.9" total length. Multiple spawning is characteristic of the species, taking place
from April to September. Vermilion snapper can reach lengths up to 24 inches, feeding on small animals found
high in the water column.
Jack Crevalle
Crevalle jack, Caranx hippos, is a fast, saltwater fish that can be
found in inland waters along the shoreline of the western Atlantic
Ocean from Nova Scotia to Uruguay and the eastern Atlantic from
Portugal to Angola. It has a large rounded head with large eyes
and a dark silvery body that can show hints of blue-green to
green-gold.
found in inland waters along the shoreline of the western Atlantic
Ocean from Nova Scotia to Uruguay and the eastern Atlantic from
Portugal to Angola. It has a large rounded head with large eyes
and a dark silvery body that can show hints of blue-green to
green-gold.
They grow to more than three feet in length, though more commonly they are between one and
two and a half feet long. The fish usually weighs between 15 to 30 pounds, but a 51 pound
Crevalle Jack was taken off the coast of Florida. Crevalle jacks can be poisonous to eat due to
the threat of ciguatera poisoning, but they are prized as a game fish.
Crevalle jacks in a reef in the Caribbean Sea.
Crevalle jacks spawn offshore from early March to early September. When young, they run in
large schools, but become solitary as they get older. They are preyed upon by many surface
feeding carnivores, including finfish such as the striped marlin, and seabirds. Crevalle jacks feed
during the day and eat a variety of fish and invertebrates. Other common names for Caranx
hippos include common jack, blacktailed trevally, cabalo, green jack, horse mackerel, horse-eye
jack, kingfish, and trevally. While the common name "Crevalle jack" has been used as a name for
the Bar jack, Caranx ruber.
two and a half feet long. The fish usually weighs between 15 to 30 pounds, but a 51 pound
Crevalle Jack was taken off the coast of Florida. Crevalle jacks can be poisonous to eat due to
the threat of ciguatera poisoning, but they are prized as a game fish.
Crevalle jacks in a reef in the Caribbean Sea.
Crevalle jacks spawn offshore from early March to early September. When young, they run in
large schools, but become solitary as they get older. They are preyed upon by many surface
feeding carnivores, including finfish such as the striped marlin, and seabirds. Crevalle jacks feed
during the day and eat a variety of fish and invertebrates. Other common names for Caranx
hippos include common jack, blacktailed trevally, cabalo, green jack, horse mackerel, horse-eye
jack, kingfish, and trevally. While the common name "Crevalle jack" has been used as a name for
the Bar jack, Caranx ruber.
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