Description: color dark
brown or gray, may have a reddish tinge; broad-based triangular tooth
patch on roof of mouth with a posterior extension; despite its specific
name, which translates 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.
Where found: juveniles
INSHORE in grass beds; adults OFFSHORE or NEARSHORE over wrecks, reefs,
and ledges.
Size: common to 40
pounds.
*Florida Record: 116 lbs.
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 later
summer.
* The Florida records
quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's
printed publication, Fishing
Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are
provided as only as a benchmark.
