| Lane snapper | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Lutjanidae |
| Genus: | Lutjanus |
| Species: | L. synagris |
| Binomial name | |
| Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
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.
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). Most fish tend to fall in the range of 8" to 12" long. Specimens above 12-14" are uncommon, and lane snapper larger than 14" in length are considered very uncommon.
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. Lane snapper are more typically caught in shallower (20'-60') waters than many of their other snapper counterparts, most commonly Yellowtail snapper and Mangrove snapper. Larger specimens can be found in somewhat deeper waters, but are typically less plentiful.
Lane snapper are generally caught on hook and line, and are considered to be more aggressive and easier to catch than most of their snapper counterparts, as they tend to be less wary of hooks and lines. They are easily caught on a variety of live and frozen baits, such as shrimp, squid, cut bait, and minnows; artificial lures and baits have also been known to be effective. Generally, lane snapper are not specifically targeted by anglers, but many are caught as a by-product by anglers fishing for grouper or other species of snapper as well as other shallow to mid-depth bottom fish.