Dog Snapper

Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles

Family Lutjanidae

Description: color brown with a bronze tinge, lighter on sides; canine teeth very sharp, one pair notably enlarge, visible even when mouth is closed; in adults, pale triangle and a light blue interrupted line below the eye; no dark spot on body underneath dorsal fin

Similar fish: schoolmaster, L. apodus (no white triangle under eye, and fins are more yellow); other snappers

Where found: large adults offshore over coral and rocky reefs; juveniles associated with estuaries

Size: large snapper, attaining 30 pounds

Remarks: spawns from spring through fall; known as a night feeder, taking fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans