Mahogany Snapper

Credit: Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles

Family Lutjanidae

Description: color grayish-olive with a reddish tinge; conspicuous dark spot, about the size of the eye, below the soft dorsal fin, 1/4 to 1/2 of it below the lateral line; the large eye and caudal fin are bright red; lower margin of the preopercle has prominent spur with strong and sharp serrations

Similar fish: lane snapper, L. synagris (also with dark spot below soft dorsal; the blotch placed higher in relation to the lateral line on lane snapper)

Where found: nearshore or offshore in clear water, usually over reefs

Size: relatively small snapper, common to 15 inches

Remarks: the Spanish name, ojanco, refers to its large eyes; a night feeder, with diet of smaller fishes