Thursday, May 20, 2010

Vermilion Snapper


Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS Rhomboplites aurorubens

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 Department of Environmental Protection's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.

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