Pacific dog snapper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit coastal rocky and coral reefs up to at least 60 m depth . Juveniles may be encountered in estuaries with mangroves and mouths of rivers . Carnivorous, feed on big invertebrates (such as crabs, prawns and shrimps) and fish . Marketed fresh or frozen .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8. Snout rounded, preopercular notch and knob moderate or weak. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line, rows occasionally horizontal in juveniles. Scale rows on cheek 5 or 6. Back and side dark olive brown to copper-red, becoming whitish ventrally. Young with 9 dark cross-bars; margin of spinous dorsal and most of anal fin black.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pacific dog snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 60 m , usually 5 - 12 m . Tropical; 36°N - 17°S, 121°W - 75°W
🌿 Ecology
big invertebrates (such as crabs, prawns and shrimps) and fish (Ref
📐 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
"Pacific dog 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 | 18.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 110 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pacific dog 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordanichthys holei | Evermann & Clark | 1928 | Synonym |
| Lutjanus prieto | Jordan & Gilbert | 1882 | Synonym |
| Mesoprion pacificus | Bocourt | 1868 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 63 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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