Mahogany snapper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit clear shallow waters over rocky bottoms in the vicinity of coral reefs, less frequently in sandy or seagrass areas. They often form large aggregations during the day. They feed at night mainly on small fish, shrimps, crabs and cephalopods .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Lower jaw projecting slightly beyond upper jaw; lower corner of preopercle greatly projecting and strongly serrated. Preorbital bone broad, maxilla extending nearly to mid-eye level. Preopercular notch and knob moderate. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Back and upper side gray to dark olive grading to silvery ventrally. Usually with a black spot, about eye size, on lateral line below the anterior soft dorsal-fin rays.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Mahogany snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 100 m . Subtropical; 36°N - 9°N, 99°W - 59°W North Carolina, USA to northeastern Brazil (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 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
"Mahogany 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 | 19 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 208 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Mahogany 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 29 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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