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.
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.
*Florida Record: 17 lbs.,
0 ozs.
Remarks: spawns June
through August; feeds on crustaceans and small fish.
* 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.
