FWC Home : Wildlife & Habitats : Species Information : Saltwater Fish Identification :  Cubera Snapper

Snappers: Cubera Snapper

Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS
Lutjanus cyanopterus

Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
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Description: color dark brown or gray, may have a reddish tinge; broad-based triangular tooth patch on roof of mouth without a posterior extension; despite its specific name, which translates to "blue-fin," the fins have only a slight tinge of blue; canine teeth in both jaws very strong; one pair of canines enlarged and visible even when mouth is closed.

Similar Fish: gray snapper.

Where found: juveniles INSHORE in grass beds; adults OFFSHORE or NEARSHORE over wrecks, reefs, and ledges.

Size: common to 40 pounds.

*Florida Record: 116 lbs.

Remarks: the largest of the snappers, ranging to 125 pounds; not common anywhere in its range; feeds on fishes and larger crustaceans; in the Keys, spawns during later summer.

* The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.