Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico), Red Snapper

The red snapper is found offshore on the Continental Shelf throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Red snappers are taken in the snapper-grouper fishery, usually with baited hooks. The red snapper commercial fishery currently ranks seventh in total value among commercial catches of finfish and shellfish in the gulf. Red snapper are also a target of a large sport fishery. The most important prey of red snapper are fish, squid, and crustaceans. In general, red snapper spawn in summer and fall in the Gulf of Mexico. The peak abundance of juveniles occurs in shallower water 20-46 m than does the peak abundance adults. Adult red snapper do not move from their reef habitations during the cooler months, and during that time will remain in a fishing area until it is fished out. Fish 1 to 5 years old grow 60-90 mm SLyear. Red snapper may reach a fork length of 845 mm, a weight of 12 kg, and an age of 13 years. Keywords Reproductionphysiology Species profiles Fishes Fisheries Life cycles Marine fishes Contaminants Growthphysiology Feeding habits Red snapper Lutjanus campechanus.