Blackfin snapper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackfin snapper |
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Lutjanidae
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| Genus: |
Lutjanus
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| Species: |
L. buccanella
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| Lutjanus buccanella (G. Cuvier, 1828)
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The blackfin snapper (Lutjanus buccanella) is a type of snapper fish. It lives in the western Atlantic Ocean. This includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. People often catch this fish for food. However, sometimes it can carry a natural toxin called ciguatera. This toxin can make people sick if they eat the fish.
Contents
What Does the Blackfin Snapper Look Like?
This fish is usually a bright scarlet red color. Its belly is silvery. It has a special black, crescent-shaped mark. This mark is found near the base of its pectoral fins. These are the fins on its sides, like arms. The other fins are yellow to orange.
The blackfin snapper can grow quite large. It can reach about 75 centimeters (30 inches) long. But most of them are around 50 centimeters (20 inches). The heaviest blackfin snapper ever found weighed about 14 kilograms (31 pounds).
Where Does the Blackfin Snapper Live?
You can find the blackfin snapper in many places. Its home ranges from North Carolina and Bermuda in the north. It goes all the way south to northern Brazil. It is most common in the Caribbean Sea. It is especially easy to find around the Antilles islands.
What is the Blackfin Snapper's Home and Habits?
This fish likes to live near coral reefs. It can be found at depths from 20 to 200 meters (66 to 656 feet). They usually prefer depths between 80 and 150 meters (260 to 490 feet). Young blackfin snappers live in shallower water. Adult fish prefer deeper areas. They like places with sandy or rocky bottoms.
Like other snappers, this fish is a predator. This means it hunts and eats other animals. It mainly eats smaller fish.
See also
In Spanish: Lutjanus buccanella para niños
