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Gray Snapper

Lutjanus griseus

Appearance

gray snapper

Also known as mangrove snapper, mango or black snapper.

  • Dark brown or gray in color, with red-orange spots in bars along the sides
  • Two large canine teeth near front of upper jaw
  • Anchor-shaped vomerine tooth patch
  • Dorsal fins with dark or reddish borders
  • Young have dark stripe from snout, through eye, to upper edge of gill cover

Similar Species: Cubera snapper, L. cyanopterus (triangleshaped tooth patch and grow much larger than gray snapper); schoolmaster, L. apodus (yellow fins and faint white bars); and true black snapper, A. dentatus (rare in Florida; do not range north of the Florida Keys) 

Size: Common to 24 inches (10 pounds)

Habitat

Coastal waters near structure such as reefs, mangroves and seagrass.  Juveniles may enter freshwater.

Behavior

Spawn June through August.  Feeds on crustaceans and small fish.

Additional Information

Gray snapper caught offshore are common 8 to 10 pounds.

Recreational Regulations

 

Image Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles