Snapper, Papuan black Lutjanus goldiei

Macleay, 1882

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also called Niugini bass, Papuan black bass, pargo de Papua, vivaneau de Papua, ikan merah

The Papuan black snapper is known only from southern Papua New Guinea from the Port Moresby district to the Fly River. Popularly know as Niugini bass and Papuan black bass, this species is actually a member of the snapper family. It is rated as one of the worlds toughest yet least-known freshwater fishes. The fish inhabits large, snag infested jungle streams and tributaries and may occur in estuaries.

The stocky Papuan black snapper resembles a cross between a mangrove (gray) snapper and a largemouth bass. The large scaled body is silvery to steely gray or black. There are two distinct color phases with the entire body blackish or with a series of 6 or 7 broad grayish bars on the sides. It has two large canine teeth in the upper jaw and smaller teeth on the lower jaw.

Casting with saltwater-quality surface plugs or shallow and medium running plugs is the most common method of fishing for this species. Papuan black bass are also caught trolling and a few have discovered that fly-fishing is possible. The major challenge is stopping an individual before it dives for cover. Locals use short, powerful rods, reels with top-quality drags and heavy leaders to cope with logs, rocks and other obstructions encountered in bass habitat.

This jungle brawler is a popular sport fish, forming the basis of a safari-angling industry

Snapper, mullet Lutjanus aratus

Günther, 1864

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also called pargo, parfo colorado, pargo de jilguero, pargo lisa, pargo rayado

Mullet snpper occur in the eastern Pacific from Mexico to Equador, including the offshore islands. This inshore, reef-dwelling species grows to over 33 lb (15 kg). Juveniles are encountered in shallow water of coastal estuaries and embayments; adult mullets snapper range further offshore and may form aggregations consisting of several hundreds of individuals.

This species is easily recognized by the alternating dark and light stripes on the sides formed by parallel rows of scales that have yellowish-white centers. Mullet snapper are generally dark gray-green to reddish on the back and sides with a silvery bellly. Individuals from deeper water are mainly reddish.

Fish are dominant in the diet of this active predatory species. Other common foods include crabs, shrimps, prawns and other crustaceans, cephalopods and gastropods. They are strong fighters and can be taken on natural and artificial lures and flies. Methods of fishing include surf casting, drift fishing, jigging or anchoring to chum. Like most snapper, mullet snappers are considered good eating

Snapper, yellowtail Ocyurus chrysurus

Bloch, 1791

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also known as yellowtail, ciobo, saioba, sioba, rubia, sad kol, rabo-aberto, sarde queue jaune, colas

In the western Atlantic, yellowtail snapper range from Massachusetts and Bermuda to southwestern Brazil; including the Gulf of Mexico. They are abundant in the Bahamas, southern Florida and throughout the Caribbean.

This colorful reef fish is easily identifiable. The body is olive or bluish gray above with olive-yellow spots and blotches. It has a prominent, brilliant yellow stripe running from the tip of the snout through the eye to the tail; the dorsal fin is also mostly yellow . The deeply forked tail is bright yellow, hence the name.

Yellowtail inhabit coastal water to a depth of 300 feet (91.5 m) and are mainly found associated with coral reefs. It can be found well above the bottom in loose schools or alone.

A common approach to catching yellowtail is chumming at anchor. These finicky feeders are attracted to the chum and then fished with live or cut bait; even plugs and flies. Many of the largest yellowtails are caught bottom fishing in deep water with live pilchards or other fish, even large ballyhoo.

The immensely popular species is an excellent sport fish and considered by many to be the tastiest of all the snappers

Snapper, cubera Lutjanus cyanopterus

Cuvier, 1828

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also called Cuban snapper

It is found throughout the western Atlantic from Florida and Cuba southward to Brazil. It is the giant of all the snappers, attaining weights in excess of 100 lb (45 kg) and an overall length in excess of 4 ft (1.21 m). The snapper family Lutjanidae consists of some 250 different species in 25 genera. At least fifteen species are found in the waters of North America, and ten of these belong to the genus Lutjanus.

Dorsal fins are connected and consist of 10 spines, followed by 14 rays. The anal fin is roundish and consists of 8 rays. There are 5 7 gill rakers (not including rudiments) on the lower limb of the first branchial arch. The pectoral fins do not quite reach to the origin of the anal fin. The eyes are dark red and the body ranges from gray to greenish, often tinged with red. Its closest look alike may be the gray, or “mangrove”, snapper (L. griseus). Like most snappers the gray snapper has more gill rakers on the average (7 9 on the lower limb of the first branchial arch) than does the cubera. It rarely exceeds 10 lb (22 kg). The red snapper differs not only in color and size, but in having 9 anal rays and 8 10 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first arch. Also, its pectoral fin reaches to or beyond the origin of its anal fin, which is angular, not roundish.

It ranges in depths from 2 3 ft (0.92 m) to 120 ft (36 m). It is a hard fighter, particularly on light tackle, and a fine food fish, though the flesh of larger fish may be coarse

Snapper, mutton Lutjanus analis

Cuvier, 1828

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY


It is one of the most common snapper from Florida to South America. Occasionally, it reaches as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as southeastern Brazil.

It is a handsome fish, varying from orangish to reddish yellow with small blue streaks on the head, back and flanks, and orangish fins. The colors may vary, as with most species of fish. A combination of factors distinguish it from other snappers. There is a black, oval shaped spot on the upper flank on each side, the anal fin and rear edge of the dorsal fin is angulate (pointed rather than rounded), the tail is lunate, and the dorsal fin has ten spines and fourteen rays.

Although at first glance the mutton snapper and the lane snapper may look exactly alike, both having similar coloration, a lunate tail and even the same oval spot on the upper flanks, a closer look will reveal that the lane snapper has yellow streaks or horizontal stripes on the body, whereas the mutton snapper has small, oblique, blue streaks on a yellowish background, though these tend to disappear with age. Also, the anal fin and rear edge of the dorsal fin of the lane snapper are not sharply pointed but appear to be squarish or even rounded. Of all the species of Lutjanidae having a dark spot on the flanks below the dorsal fin, the mutton snapper (L. analis) is the only one in which the tooth patch in the roof of the mouth has no median extension and resembles a crescent rather than an anchor shape. Large mutton snappers take on a reddish coloration and are often mistaken for red snappers.

They attain weights in excess of 25 30 lb (11 14 kg). They are strong fighters on light tackle and can be taken on natural baits or small lures fished or slowly trolled near the bottom. Normally associated with reefs, wrecks, holes, and channels, they are nevertheless occasionally found on the flats and can be caught there by fly fishing. They may also be lured to the surface and caught on a fly.

The flesh is firm and white and is excellent eating whether baked, broiled, or prepared by any other method

Snapper, red Lutjanus campechanus

Poey 1860

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also called northern red snapper, pargo colorado, vermelho, pargo del golfo, huachinango del Golfo,

Red Snapper occur in the Gulf of Mexico and in the western Atlantic along the eastern coast of the USA as far north as Massachusetts, but rarely north of the Carolinas. They are absent from the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Juveniles occur in shallow water over sandy or mud bottoms. Adults are more plentiful offshore in 60 to 440 ft of water associated with rough, rocky bottoms and wrecks.

The pinkish to red color and sharply pointed anal fin (rather than rounded) distinguishes the red snapper from most other Gulf of Mexico snappers. The snout is long and triangular and the eyes are a distinctive red. Adults have no dark lateral spot, but juveniles have a dark spot on the upper sides below the anterior soft dorsal fin.

The Red Snapper is sometimes confused with the Southern Red Snapper, L. purpureus, found throughout Caribbean Sea from Cuba southward to northeast Brazil. There are differences, however, in scale and anal fin ray counts. The Red Snapper usually has fewer scales in a row along the midside (usually 47-49 not 50-51 and fewer scales between the beginning of the dorsal fin and the lateral line, (usually 8-9, not 10-11). The Norther Red Snapper has more soft rays in the anal fins (usually 9 instead of 8).

This species feeds primarily on fish, crustaceans, worms and cephalopods. They tend to be nibblers and pickers and soft touch is needed when angling. Red snanpper seem to prefer a still or slowly moving bait. Squid, whole fish and cut bait can be used to entice red snapper to bite. By chummming them up to the surface, flies can also be used.

The Red Snapper is one of the most valuable and heavily exploited snappers in American waters. It is now closely protected; shrimp fishing, accused of destroying young snappers, is currently restricted.

Snapper, African red Lutjanus agennes

Bleeker, 1863

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also called Guinean snapper, African cubera snapper, jaabaar, diabar, carpe rouge.

It is known only from the West African coast in the region between Senegal and Angola where it occurs on rocky bottoms and coral reefs. It is also common in brackish lagoons and rivers, particularly the juveniles. Coloration is variable, usually reddish brown to slightly dorsally, grading to whitish ventrally. The tips of the anal and caudal fins are very dark.

The body is relatively deep for the genus with the head pointed, the dorsal profile of forehead somewhat angular. The preorbital bone is broad and the maxilla extends nearly to mid-eye level. The vomerine teeth occur in a triangular patch, some times with a short median extension posteriorly. About 7 well formed gill rakers are found on the first arch.

The Guinean snapper can be distinguished from other snappers by the following characteristics: L. dentatus and L. endecacanthus have 8-10 rows of cheek scales and the longitudinal scale rows above the lateral line slant upward. In L. agennes, there are 5-7 rows of cheek scales and the longitudinal scales are parallel above the lateral line except on the caudal peduncle. L. fulgens has 16 well-formed gill rakers on the first gill arch where L. agennes has 7-9. L. goreensis has a vomerine tooth patch with an elongate median extension posteriorly.

Like other large snapper, the Guinean snapper is generally caught bottom fishing. It is an important food fish in the subsistence fishery.

Snapper, grey Lutjanus griseus

Linnaeus, 1758

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also called mangrove snapper, mango snapper

Grey snapper are one of the most abundant species of snapper throughout their range, which includes Bermuda south to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the entire Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. They are found in a variety of habitats, which includes inshore seagrass beds and mangrove lagoons, but the largest are located on offshore reefs and wrecks. They also be found in completely freshwater areas in parts of Florida. They often form large aggregations, but have the habit of becoming difficult to catch once several of their cohorts have been hooked. Grey snapper feed on a wide variety of prey items including shrimp, crabs, and fish. It is a popular species with anglers and its varied diet allows it to be taken on natural bait, artificial lures, and even flies. It is also an excellent eating species

Snapper, Pacific cubera Lutjanus novemfasciatus

Gill, 1863

LUTJANIDAE FAMILY
Also called black snapper, dog snapper

It is common throughout the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) from at least Laguna San Ignacio south to Panama, and probably Peru. It is an in shore Pacific species, frequenting reefs and caves from shallow waters to 100 ft (30 m) or more.

Growing to at least 80 lb (36 kg), it is the largest of the nine species of snapper that occur in its range. The most prominent and recognizable feature is the 4 large canine teeth, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw. They are slightly larger than the diameter of the pupil of the eye and are the largest teeth of any snapper in its range. There is a crescent shaped patch of teeth in the roof of the mouth and other small ones are on the jaws.

As a juvenile, it is purplish brown with a light spot in the center of each scale, but adults and older fish become deep reddish in color. There is sometimes a blue streak under the eye, and about 9 dusky bars may or may not be evident to varying degrees on the flanks. The tail is almost truncate, usually being very slightly forked to crescent shaped. The dorsal fin has 10 spines followed by 14 soft rays, the anal fin rounded with 3 spines and 8 rays. The pectoral fins do not reach to the anal fin, nor do they reach as far as the vent in adults.

The Pacific cubera snapper looks quite like the cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus) of the western Atlantic, the “river” or”mangrove red” snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) of the western Indo Pacific, and an African snapper (Lutjanus spp.). These three snappers and some others around the world, grow to sizes approaching or exceeding 100 lb (45 kg). All have deep reddish bodies, 4 large canine teeth, stubby gill rakers, and almost identical body and fin shapes, habitat, and behavior. These similarities and others are suggestive of a worldwide complex of large cubera type snappers that may be more closely related to each other than to most other members of the genus Lutjanus.

The Pacific Cubera is a strong fighter and sport fish that can be caught on live baits, jigs, spoons, feathers, plugs, or pork rind fished or trolled at up to 5 miles per hour. It is an active night predator of smaller fishes and crustaceans. It is excellent eating and is greatly prized as a sports catch