Silk snapper
📖 Overview
Adults are common near the edge of the continental and island shelves; also found in deeper waters (below 200 m); usually ascending to shallow water at night. They feed mainly on fishes, shrimps, crabs, gastropods, cephalopods, tunicates and some pelagic items including urochordates. Marketed fresh. Said to be a good food fish .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Preopercular notch and knob weak. Pectoral fins long reaching level of anus. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Back and upper sides pink to red, grading to pink with a silvery sheen ventrally; sides with very fine undulating yellow lines; the fins mostly reddish or pale yellow. Young specimens (under about 25 cm) with a blackish spot on upper side below anterior dorsal soft rays.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Silk snapper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Spawning occurs over most of the year in lower latitudes, but is seasonal (spring and summer) toward the northern and southern limits of the distribution.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 90 - 242 m, usually 90 - 140 m . Subtropical; 41°N - 30°S, 99°W - 32°W North Carolina, USA and Bermuda to São Paulo, Brazil (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
fishes, shrimps, crabs, gastropods, cephalopods, tunicates and some pelagic items including urochord
📐 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
"Silk 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 | 18.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 178 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Silk 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lutianus vivanus | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Lutjanus hastingsi | Bean | 1898 | Synonym |
| Lutjanus torridus | Cope | 1871 | Synonym |
| Mesoprion profundus | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
| Mesoprion vivanus | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Neomaenis hastingsi | Bean | 1898 | Synonym |
| Neomansis hastingsi | Bean | 1898 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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