Vermilion snapper

Mingo snapper
Photo Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles
Family Snappers
Scientific Family Lutjanidae
Scientific Name Rhomboplites aurorubens
Spanish Name Cotorro
ITIS# 168909
Tail shape Emarginate

Snout short, lower jaw slightly projecting. Mouth small. Pectoral fins relatively short, not reaching level of anus. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Back and upper sides vermilion, shading to silvery with reddish tinge ventrally, with narrow horizontal yellow lines below the lateral line. The dorsal and caudal fins yellowish; the anal and pelvic fins whitish.


Biology

Adults are found in moderately deep waters, most common over rock, gravel or sand sea bottoms near the edge of the continental and island shelves, often in large schools. Young fish occur in large schools at shallower depths less than 75 feet (25 m). They feed on fishes, shrimps, crabs, polychaetes, other benthic invertebrates, cephalopods and planktonic organisms.

Appearance

Body Shape
Compressiform
Color
Main Color: Red
Other Color: silver
Common Body Shape
Flattened side to side


Pattern
None
Length
Avg Length: 14 inches (35 cm)
Max Length: 24 inches (60 cm)
Maximum Weight
6.9 lbs (3170 g)




Specifications

Handling Concerns
Harmless
Conservation Concerns
Declining
Range in USA
SC-TX


Abundance
Abundant


Other Species from same Family