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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Yellow snapper

Lutjanus argentiventris Peters, 1869
Max Length
71 cm
Max Weight
13.0 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4
Depth
3–60 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
56.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Found in inshore reef areas over hard bottoms until at least 60 m depth . Tolerant to freshwaters . Form aggregations during daylight and shelter as solitary fish in caverns. Feed on fishes, shrimps, crabs and mollusks. Marketed fresh or frozen .

Scientific Name
Lutjanus argentiventris
Authority
Peters, 1869
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
71 cm
Max Weight
13 kg
Depth Range
3–60 m
Latitude
13°S – 36°N
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
56.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Forehead slopes steeply; snout somewhat pointed. Preopercular notch and knob weak. Scale rows on back parallel with lateral line. Rosy red anteriorly, becoming bright orange to yellow over most of the body; the fins are mainly yellow or orange; the inside of the mouth is white; a bluish horizontal streak runs below the eye.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Yellow snapper is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Yellow snapper is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
19.5cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 60 m . Subtropical; 36°N - 13°S, 120°W - 77°W north of Baja California, Mexico; also at the Cocos and Galapagos islands.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
4±0.63
🧍 Solitary
Food Items

fishes, shrimps, crabs and mollusks

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01479 × L2.96 (TL)
Max TL
71cm
Max Weight
13,000g
Dorsal Spines
10
Dorsal Rays
14
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
8

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2007

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
56.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Latitude Range
36°N – 13°S
Described By
Peters, 1869

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Yellow snapper is an edible species."

✓ Suitable Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 19.5 g
Omega-3 (total) 201 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Yellow snapper has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Amarillo Snapper · yellow snapper · yellowtail snapper
🌍CES chňapal stříbrobřichý
🇩🇰Danish Gul snapper
🇫🇷French vivaneau jaune
🌍MLG Menahelika · Tsivaravara
🇵🇹Portuguese Caranha-brasa
🇷🇺Russian Жёлтый луциан · Серебристобрюхий луциан
🇪🇸Spanish Boca colorada · Guachinango · huachinango · Miche · Pargo Alazán · pargo amarillo · Pargo blanco · Pargo coliamarillo · Pargo colorado · Pargo de manglar · Pargo dentón · Pargo dientón · Pargo Flamenco · Pargo mulatillo · Pargo rojo · Pargo rosquero
🇨🇳Chinese 紋眼笛鯛

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Hypoplectrus lamprurus Jordan & Gilbert 1882 Heterotypic
Mesoprion argentiventris Peters 1869 Synonym
Serranus lamprurus Jordan & Gilbert 1882 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 160 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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