Grunts & Snappers
Gray Snapper
Lutjanus griseus
Species Overview
Snapper with a slightly concave head profile and long pointed snout; gray to green with a reddish tinge and rows of small reddish-orange spots along the sides; median fins darker than paired fins, often edged in yellow or white; anchor-shaped vomerine tooth patch; dorsal X,13–14, anal III,7–8.
- Depth range
- 1–18 m (ReefGuide); 5–180 m, usually to about 50 m (FishBase).
- Habitat
- Coral reefs, rocky areas, estuaries and mangroves in coastal and offshore waters; juveniles in seagrass and soft-bottom inshore areas; also enters fresh water (lakes, lower rivers) in Florida.
- Diet
- Small fishes, shrimps, crabs, gastropods, cephalopods and some plankton; juveniles feed by day in seagrass mainly on crustaceans and fish.
- Range
- Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, Bermuda and Gulf of Mexico; western Atlantic from Massachusetts southward (Brazilian records considered misidentifications).
Life stages
Juveniles have a dark stripe from snout through eye to the upper gill cover, a blue cheek stripe below the eye, and reddish-orange fins with dark edges; ReefGuide shows no separate life-stage photos.
Explore reef conservation
Learn about Caribbean reef habitats, invasive lionfish and the work of the Caribbean Reef Fish Foundation.
TL means total length; SL excludes the tail fin; FL measures to the tail fork. These measurements are not interchangeable.