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

Snappers: Mahogany Snapper

Family Lutjanidae, SNAPPERS
Lutjanus mahogoni

Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: color grayish-olive with a reddish tinge; conspicuous dark spot, about the size of the eye, below the soft dorsal fin, 1/4 to 1/2 of it below the lateral line; the large eye and caudal fin are bright red; lower margin of the preopercle has prominent spur with strong and sharp serrations.

Similar Fish: lane snapper, L. synagris (also with dark spot below soft dorsal, the blotch placed higher in relation to the lateral line).

Where found: NEARSHORE or OFFSHORE in clear, highly saline water, usually over reefs.

Size: relatively small snapper, common to 15 inches.

*Florida Record: n/a

Remarks: the Spanish name, ojanco, refers to its large eyes; a night feeder, with diet of smaller fishes.

* 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.