FISH ID  >> SNAPPERS

Snappers & Snapper Like Fish

Mouth Parts are an easy way to identify snappers. If part of the mouth is covered by bone when the mouth is closed, it is a snapper. However, snapper-like fishes do not meet this criterion.

Red Snapper
(Redfish, Snapper, Chicken Snapper)

Bright pinkish to dark red. Iris of eye red. Anal fin pointed. Young with dark blotch on side, disappearing with adult.

Average 2-5 pounds. 

Blackfin Snapper
(Blackfin, Harnbone Snapper)

Deep red everywhere, caudal fin tinged with yellow. Dominant black blotch at base of pectoral fin.

Average 2-5 pounds. 


Silk Snapper
(Silky, Yellow Eye)

Bright pinkish red, whitish below. Iris of eye yellow. Pectoral and pelvic fins slightly yellowed.

Average 2-4 pounds.


Vermilion Snapper
(Bastard Snapper, Bee-Liner, Mingo)

Light red above with blue lines or spots underlying red. Tail slightly forked, lower jaw projects. dorsal and anl fins edged in yellow-orange.

Average 1-2 pounds. 

Lane Snapper
(Candy Snapper)

Reddish orange above, whitish below, 7 or 8 yellow-greenish longitudinal lines on sides. Black blotch above lateral line, caudal fin edged in black.

Average 1-3 pounds

Wenchman
(Big-Eye Snapper)

Pinkish red above, lighter below. Eye large, dark. Headwide, flat. Edge of first dorsal fin orangish. Last ray of both dorsal and anal fins slightly elongate.

Average 1-3 pounds

Yellowtail Snapper
(Yellowtail, Spotted Snapper)

Yellowish-green above with yellow spots, white below, yellow stripe from snout to caudal fin, tail deeply forked.

Average 5-7 pound

Queen Snapper
(Silk, Ball-bat)

Red to pinkish above, whitish sides and belly. Eye very large, tail deeply forked, very red, lobes with streamers in large adults.

Average 5-7 pounds

Gray Snapper
(Mangrove, Black Snapper, Mango)

Dark olive red, almost square caudal fin, usually has dark bar through eye to front of first dorsal fin. Vomerine tooth patch arrow shaped.

Average 5-7 pound

Longtail Bass (Queen Snapper, Longtail)

Bright red above, creamy below, usually yellow irregular longitudinal stripe on side. Dorsal, pelvic and anal fins with bright yellow filaments. Caudal fin nitched in center.

Average 1-2 pounds

Creole Fish (Gray Snapper, Rose Snapper)
Dark reddish copper to red above, orangish below. Bright red spot at base of pectoral, usually four whitish or darkish spots above lateral line. Dorsal tipped with yellow. Caudal deeply forked. Normally confused with snapper: check of mouth parts will identify fish. 
Average 1-3 pounds

Squirrelfish
Pinkish red above, silvery below and having striped appearance everywhere. First dorsal, second dorsal and pelvic large fins, interspersed with yellow and orange. Deeply forked caudal fin. Strong spines on gill cover, large eyes. Normally confused with snapper; check of mouth parts will identify fish. 
                                                    Average 1-2 pounds

Bulleye

Body and vertical fins bright red. Eye red. Pelvic fin blackish and very long. Soft parts of dorsal and anal fins pointed. Caudal fin rounded or squared off. Chin pointed, extended beyond upper jaw.

Average 1-2 pounds

Bigeye (Redfish, Glasseye Snapper, Goggle-Eye)
Body very deep, somewhat rounded. Brilliant orange-red, sometimes blotched with silver. Prominent eyes, mouth tilted upward. Pelvic, anal, second dorsal, and caudal fins blackish toward tip. Strong spine on gill cover. Check of mouth parts and size of eye will identify fish. 
                                                    Average 1-2 pounds

Short Bigeye

Rusty-red above, lighter below. Body very deep, prominent eyes, mouth tilted upward. Tips of dorsal, anal, and caudal fins black. Strong spine on gill cover absent.

Average ½-1 pound

Longspine Scorpionfish
(Scorpionfish, Stinger)

Very spiny head, third dorsal spine long, second anal spine long, body rusty red, molted, belly creamy to dusky. Noticeable lateral line

Average up to 1 pound

Spinycheek Scorpionfish (Rockfish, Scorpion)

Deep red, mixed with black everywhere. Fins with black spots, 3 dark spots on or near lateral line. Strong to medium spines on gill cover. Very rough, prickly feel.

Average 1-2 pounds

Spotted Scorpionfish

Body blotched with shades of brown. Caudal penduncle pale. Caudal fin with three dark bands. Pectoral fin partially black with white spots.

Average 1-2 pounds


Whitebone Porgy
(White Snapper)

Silvery white body. Forehead moderately sloped. Snout and cheeks grayish, with wavy blue and yellow lines underneath eye.

Average 2-4 pounds

Knobbed Porgy
(Keywest Porgy)

Silvery above to creamy below. Bluespot at base of pectoral fin, bronze spots on face. Body deep, forehead steep. Distinct bump just in front of eye.

Average 2-4 pounds

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