Lutjanidae (Snappers)
Lutjanus analis
0 to 60 ft
The body color varies from silvery to pinkish or red, often becoming yellow-green on the upper back. Faint bars may be present. A small, dark body spot (typical of some snappers) is located below the rear dorsal fin. There is usually an irregular blue stripe from below the eye to the upper jaw. The anal fin is pointed. The mutton snapper grows to at least 2.5 feet (75 cm). The mutton snapper occurs throughout the Caribbean; also north to Massachusetts and Bermuda. It inhabits reefs and sea grass beds, usually drifting over reefs or sandy bottoms near reefs. It may be solitary or in small groups. It feeds on crustaceans. This fish is an excellent food fish, and is often sold as "red snapper".
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