Queen snapper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit rocky bottoms and feeds mainly on small fishes and squids. They are abundant near oceanic islands . Small individuals are taken as by-catch in trawl fisheries . Marketed mostly fresh, sometimes frozen. Flesh of good quality.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Head small; eye large; snout short. Maxilla covered with small scales; lower jaw slightly projecting. Dorsal and anal fin bases without scales; caudal fin deeply forked. Scale rows on the back running parallel with the lateral line. Back and upper sides deep pink to red; lower sides and belly pink; fins pink except the spinous portion of the dorsal fin; entire caudal fin brilliant red.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Queen snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 100 - 450 m . Deep-water; 37°N - 25°S, 8°E - 32°W North Carolina, USA, Gulf of Mexico southward through the Caribbean to Sau Paulo, Brazil (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes and squids
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Queen snapper is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 387 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Queen snapper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (lean white fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erythrobussothen gracilis | Parr | 1933 | Synonym |
| Etelis aculatus | Valenciennes | 1828 | Synonym |
| Serranus oculatus | Valenciennes | 1828 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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