Details
Lutjanus campechanus
The northern red snapper is a red reef and offshore-bottom fish of the Atlantic. Active across day and night, it gathers loosely around structure.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses reefs, rocky bottom, wrecks, and other raised seafloor structure in coastal waters. Young fish often grow in shallower bottom habitats.
Length is about 40-100 cm and weight about 2-23 kg. A strong red body, large mouth, and firm tail are typical; juveniles may show a dark spot.
It stays near bottom structure alone or in loose groups. Fish forage by day and night, retreating toward cover or deeper water when disturbed.
It is carnivorous, eating fish, shrimp, crabs, and squid. It patrols near the bottom and seizes moving prey quickly.
Spawning occurs in warm seasons, with eggs released into the water. Eggs and larvae drift before young settle near structured bottom.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. It is an important fishery species, so local harvest management affects long-term population condition.
