Red Snapper
Family Lutjanidae,
SNAPPERS
Lutjanus campechanus
Description: color pinkish red over entire body, whitish below; long triangular snout; anal fin sharply pointed; no dark lateral spot.
Similar Fish: vermilion snapper, R. aurorubens.
Where found: OFFSHORE on the continental shelf, more plentiful off the panhandle than in south or middle Florida.
Size: to 20 pounds.
*Florida Record: 46 lbs., 8 ozs.
Remarks: juveniles occur over sandy or mud bottoms and are often taken in shrimp trawls; adults may live more than 20 years, and attain 35 pounds or more; sexual maturity attained at age 2; spawns June to October; feeds on crustaceans and fish.