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).
Where found: suspends at
mid-depths over rocky reefs OFFSHORE.
Size: usually less than 1
pound.
*Florida Record: n/a
Remarks: spawns April to
September, females maturing at 3 to 4 years of age; grows slowly; attains
weight of 6 pounds and length of 24 inches; feeds on small, swimming
crustaceans and mollusks.
* 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.
