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Keys To Florida Snapper Identification

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Florida has a variety of snapper species, and their similar appearance sometimes leads to misidentification. Knowing a few of the key distinguishing characteristics for each species can make the identification process a breeze.

Red-Snapper.tifRed

Keys: Red eye
Deep body
Size 3–20 lbs.

Cubera-Snapper.tifCubera

Keys: Large canine teeth
Size 10–80 lbs.

Blackfin-Snapper.tifBlackfin

Keys: Crescent-shaped
black spot at base
of pelvic fin

Gray-Snapper.tifGray

Keys: Dark streak (snout)
Size 3–10 lbs.

Silk-Snapper.tifSilk

Keys: Yellow eye
Size 2–4 lbs.
Max 12 lbs.

Dog-Snapper.tifDog

Keys: Yellowish fins
Large teeth
Blue streaks on gill plate

Mutton-Snapper.tifMutton

Keys: Black lateral line spot
Pointed anal fin
Size 5–15 lbs.

Schoolmaster-Snapper.tifSchoolmaster

Keys: Pale bars
Yellow fins
Horizontal blue line under eye

Lane-Snapper.tifLane

Keys: Black lateral line spot
Yellow horizontal stripes
Rounded anal fin

Yellowtail-Snapper.tifYellowtail

Keys: Bright yellow
streak and tail

Mahogany-Snapper.tifMahogany

Keys: Reddish margins on fins
Size < 13“

Vermilion-Snapper.tifVermilion

Keys: Streamlined body
Size < 2 lbs.

 

 

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