Grunts & Snappers
Mutton Snapper
Lutjanus analis
Species Overview
Relatively deep-bodied snapper with a nearly crescent-shaped tail and long pectoral fins reaching the anus/anal fin origin; olive-green back, whitish sides with reddish tinge below, a small black spot on the upper back below the dorsal fin, and blue stripes on the snout and cheek; pointed anal fin and black margin on the caudal fin; dorsal X–XI,13–14, anal III,7–8.
- Size
- Commonly 30–60 cm (1–2 ft) per ReefGuide; common length 50 cm TL (20 in); maximum 94 cm TL (37 in); max weight 15.6 kg; max age 29–40 years.
- Habitat
- Continental shelf and clear island waters; large adults among rocks, coral and rubble near offshore reefs; juveniles on sandy, vegetated bottoms such as turtle grass in mangrove creeks and protected bays.
- Diet
- Fishes, shrimp, crabs, cephalopods and gastropods; adults pick food from the bottom through the day and make midwater strikes at dawn and dusk.
- Range
- Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida and Gulf of Mexico; western Atlantic from Massachusetts and Bermuda to southeastern Brazil, most abundant around the Antilles, Bahamas and south Florida.
Life stages
Shows pale bars when resting and solid color when swimming; darker barring appears during bottom feeding; ReefGuide shows no separate juvenile photos.
Ecological role
Upper-level reef predator; prey for sharks and larger snappers; spawning aggregations supply pelagic eggs and larvae.
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.