Majestic Snapper (Symphorichthys spilurus)

The Majestic Snapper or Symphorichthys spilurus is a beautiful saltwater fish from the Lutjanidae family of Snappers.  They can be easily identified by their extremely long dorsal and anal fins.  They also have horizontal blue and yellow stripes that run down their bodies.  Another distinguishing characteristic of this species of Snapper is a black blotch that is found near their tail and two black bars crossing their heads.

Majestic Snappers are found in the Pacific ocean and can grow to about 12" in length.  They make a very good aquarium fish due to their peaceful temperament and brightly colored bodies.  Like other Snappers, they are carnivores that should be fed a variety of meaty foods. These fish are very fast growers and should be kept in a large aquarium of at least 180 gallons.  They are also known as Hifin Snapper, Blue-lined Sea Bream and the Sailfin Snapper.  You can check out the Majestic Snapper in the Pacific Ocean in the video below.


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Gray Snapper (Lutjanus griseus)

The Gray Snapper or Lutjanus griseus is thought to be one of the more intelligent fish in the ocean. This saltwater fish has the ability to change it coloration to a bright red to blend in with its surroundings and avoid potential predators. Also known as the Mangrove Snapper, Mango Snapper, Grey Snapper, Black Snapper, Lowyer or Cabellerote they grow to about 35.4 inches (90cm) and can weigh in at as much as 29.5 pound (13.4 kg). This fish has a continuous dorsal fin with 10 spines, the fourth of which is the longest.

The Gray Snapper will feed mostly on small fish and crustaceans. It is prized for its tasty flesh and considered to be a difficult fish to catch. The best bait to catch this species of Snapper is minnows, shrimp or squid. Sometimes chum is used to attract these Snappers.  You can learn more about the Gray Snapper in the videos below.


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Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus)

The Red Snapper or Lutjanus campechanus is a popular sporting fish in places like the Gulf Of Mexico and the southeastern Atlantic Ocean. These saltwater fish are found in waters of 30 to 300ft around reeds, rocky bottoms and many other places that provide potential shelter like shipwrecks. As you can imagine, these fish are reddish in color and can grow to about 40 lbs (18 kg) in maximum weight.

Also known as the Huachinango, and the Pargo, the body shape of this fish is much like that of other Snappers. They also have the razor sharp teeth that give them their Snapper name, handle with care. If you do manage to catch one of these fish there will most likely be more, because they are almost always found in schools. Once caught, this fish's flesh is considered to be one of the finest in the world to eat.  You can check out a large school of Red Snapper fish in the video below... 

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Emperor Red Snapper (Lutjanus sebae)

The Emperor Red Snapper or Lutjanus sebae is yet another saltwater fish that changes its colors over its lifetime. When this species of Snapper is young it has a series of red and black stripes set against its white body. As it grows larger, these stripes tend to fade, and eventually disappear. By the time it is all over, the fish is a reddish pink and looks completely different then it did when it was younger.
Also known as the Sebae Snapper, this fish grows quickly, reaching about 2-1/2' in maximum length over its lifetime. Even though they get this large, people still try to house them in an aquarium. One of 200 gallons or more is highly recommended with the following water conditions, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 and sg 1.020-1.025. They are not considered to be very easy to care for, and should be kept alone with plenty of room to swim. This fish should be fed a meal of meaty food chopped up like shrimp, fish and scallops daily to keep it healthy and happy.

These fish are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans around reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef. In the wild they feed on shrimp, squid, clams and small fish. You can check out the Emperor Red Snapper and some other amazing fish in the video below...

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Yellowtail Snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus)

The Yellowtail Snapper or Ocyurus chrysurus is a popular and very abundant sporting fish in the Atlantic Ocean from Florida all the way to South America. This species of saltwater fish often hangs out around reefs, and once caught is said to make a fine meal.

The Yellowtail Snapper is considered to be a nocturnal fish that feeds on shrimp, worms, crabs, gastropods, cephalopods and other small fish. They can be distinguished from other Snappers by their distinct coloration. They have a yellow stripe that runs along its sides and yellow spots that are scattered along its upper half. The Yellowtail Snapper's caudal fin is solid yellow with their dorsal fin more of a pale yellow.
This species of snapper can reach about 34" in maximum length and weigh in at about 9lbs or 4 kg. It is said to be able to live for 14 years or longer. One fishing tip to consider is to use chum and leave your engine running. This is because the Yellowtail Snapper has actually been conditioned to be attracted to the sound of an engine! They are often found on the bottom no deeper than 120' and often in schools.  Once you catch one there should be more nearbly. To see the Yellowtail Snapper in action watch this video!

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Schoolmaster Snapper (Lutjanus apodus)

The Schoolmaster Snapper Fish or Lutjanus apodus are saltwater fish that are often found in Florida, the Caribbean and Brazil in shallow waters normally around reefs. They are gray on their upper sides with just a hint of yellow. They have wight pale vertical stripes much like that of the Perch. They have yellow fins and blue stripe often found directly under their eye.The Schoolmaster Fish spawns in July and August and can reach sizes of about 2', weighing in at about 8lbs max. This fish are quite slow growers that feed on crustaceans, gastropods and other small fish. As you can imagine just by its name the Schoolmaster fish is often found in schools of 12 or more. To see the Schoolmaster Snapper in action check out this video!



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