Mangrove snapper
| Mangrove snapper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Lutjanidae |
| Genus: | Lutjanus |
| Species: | L. griseus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lutjanus griseus (Linnaeus, 1758) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Lutjanus griseus, the gray snapper, is a species of snapper native to the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Brazil and including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats including brackish and fresh waters. It is commercially important as well as being sought as a game fish. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. It is also known as the mangrove snapper.[1]
Description
Its color is typically greyish red, but it can change color from bright red to copper red. It has a dark stripe running through its eye if observed from the top when it is underwater. This species can reach a length of 89 centimetres (35 in) TL though most do not exceed 40 centimetres (16 in). The greatest recorded weight for this species is 20 kilograms (44 lb).[1]
The mangrove snapper can be confused with the cubera snapper or black snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus. Mangrove snapper 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 (tooth patch) on the inside roof of the mouth. Many specimens caught in Florida, specifically Punta Gorda, are actually misidentified dogtooth or dog snapper, Lutjanus jocu. The best way to distinguish between the two species is dog snapper has a lighter triangle of color with a blue band under the eye and large, sharp fangs in the front (canines), hence its common name. These fangs can deliver a painful bite, even in a small fish. The mangrove snapper feeds mostly on small fishes and crustaceans.
Habitat
The mangrove snapper is one of the most common species of snapper in warmer regions. It can be found in many areas from canals to grass flats, as well as in open water. Most mangrove snapper in the open water are generally found near bottom structure or reefs. They can be found at depths of from 5 to 180 metres (16 to 591 ft) though are mostly found at less than 50 metres (160 ft).[1]
Sport Fishing
Mangrove snapper is a common target for anglers, and is highly prized for its light and flaky meat. It can be caught on a variety of baits, but is typically caught with live or frozen shrimp, squid, minnows and occasionally on artificial lures or baits. They can be spearfished, as well, but are sometimes a tough target, as they tend to be more wary of divers, rather than curious. Mangrove snapper are typically wary fish, and their wariness of baits tends to increase as the fish grow larger. Most mangrove snapper are caught on light to medium tackle, and typical catches range from eight to 14 inches in shallow or in-shore waters, to up to 20" in deeper waters. Larger fish are uncommon, but not rare.
Chum is sometimes used by anglers to attract mangrove snapper and other species to feed and eat.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Lutjanus griseus" in FishBase. December 2013 version.
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