Key West Mutton Snapper

mutton-snapper

Description: color olive green on back and upper sides, all fins below the lateral line having reddish tinge; bright blue line below eye, following contour of operculum; anal fin pointed; small black spot below dorsal fin; V-shaped tooth patch on

Similar Fish: lane snapper

Where found: an INSHORE species associated with grassbeds, mangroves, and canals; larger adults occasionally found on OFFSHORE reefs.

Size: common to 15 pounds.

*Florida Record: 27 lbs., 6 ozs.

Remarks: spawns in July and August; feeds on fish, crustaceans, and snails.

* The Florida records quoted are from the Department of Environmental Protection’s printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.