Science Name: | Lutjanus griseus |
Other Names: | mangrove snapper |
Ideal Temp: | 70 to 80 |
World Record: | 17 lb. Florida |
Environment: | inshore and reefs |
Techniques: | bottom fishing, medium tackle |
The gray snapper commonly occurs in the westen Atlantic from the northern coast of Florida to Rio de Janeiro. Young fish are sometimes found as north as Massechusetts. The habitat is variable and includes irregular bottom area offshore, such as coral reefs, rock ledges, and wrecks, to a depth of about 300 feet. Inshore the species is found over smooth bottom, usually near pilings, seagrass meadows and mangrove thickets. Spawning usually occurs in the summer at the dusk of a full moon, and in shallow waters. Fish that are 3 years old or older and 9 inches or more take part in the spawning. The lifespan of a gray snapper may be up to 21 years and individuals may reach lengths of 35 inches and weight of 25 pounds. Young gray snappers tend to each shrimp and other crustaceans, while adults prefer fishes, crabs, or shrimps, and may feed on grass flats in the late afternoon or at night.
The diet consists primarily of crustaceans and fishes, but changes as the fish grow larger. Juveniles feed on copepods, amphipods and alaemonid shrimps. Adults eat fish, crab and penaeid shrimp. Like other large lutjanids, adult gray snapper may leave their resident reef to feed on nearby grass flats late in the afternoon and at night.
Like other commercially important snappers, the gray has white, flaky and flesh that is easily fileted. Usually marketed fresh, it is prepared by baking or broiling.