Yellow snapper (Lutjanus argentiventris)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Lutjanus argentiventris
- Common name
- Yellow snapper
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Lutjanidae
- Genus
- Lutjanus
- Size
- 30–71 cm
- Depth
- 4–60 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Lutjanus argentiventris reaches 71 cm. Eastern Pacific snapper with silver body with purple-green back and characteristic golden-yellow belly (hence argentiventris), yellow fins. Juveniles uniformly yellow with longitudinal black band. Lives in dense schools from 4 to 60 m on rocky drop-offs, coral reefs and wrecks from Gulf of California to Peru. Important commercial and sport fishery. Iconic wide-angle photo subject of dense schools in Sea of Cortez, replaces tropical Lutjanidae in density.
Photo of Yellow snapper
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellow snapper?
- Yellow snapper (Lutjanus argentiventris) reaches 30–71 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellow snapper?
- Yellow snapper is found between 4–60 m deep.
- Is the Yellow snapper dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellow snapper?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Yellow snapper?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Lutjanus
- Lutjanus synagris - Lane snapper
- Lutjanus jocu - Dog snapper
- Lutjanus apodus - Schoolmaster snapper
- Lutjanus griseus - Grey snapper
- Lutjanus analis - Mutton snapper
- Lutjanus novemfasciatus - Pacific cubera snapper
Other species in the family Lutjanidae
- Ocyurus chrysurus - Yellowtail snapper
- Macolor niger - Black snapper
- Hoplopagrus guentherii - Barred pargo
- Macolor macularis - Spotted Snapper
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 276524)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2385004)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia