Mangrove snapper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mangrove snapper |
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The mangrove snapper (also called the gray snapper) is a type of fish found in the western Atlantic Ocean. Its scientific name is Lutjanus griseus. You can find them from Massachusetts all the way down to Brazil, and also in the Gulf of Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean Sea.
These fish are super adaptable! They live in many different places, even in water that's a mix of fresh and salty (called brackish water), and sometimes even in pure fresh water. People like to catch them for food and for fun (as a game fish). You might even see them in aquariums!
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What Does a Mangrove Snapper Look Like?
Mangrove snappers are usually grayish-red. But they can change their color! They might turn bright red or even a coppery red. If you see one underwater from above, you might notice a dark stripe across its eye.
These fish can grow up to about 89 centimeters (35 inches) long. That's almost a meter! However, most of them are smaller, usually around 40 centimeters (16 inches). The heaviest mangrove snapper ever recorded weighed about 20 kilograms (44 pounds). That's like a big dog!
How to Tell Mangrove Snappers Apart
It can be tricky to tell a mangrove snapper from other similar fish. They are sometimes confused with the cubera snapper or black snapper. Mangrove snappers are usually much smaller than cubera snappers. If they are about the same size, you can tell them apart by looking at a special tooth patch inside the roof of their mouth.
Sometimes, people in Florida mistake them for dog snappers. Dog snappers have a lighter triangle of color under their eye with a blue band. They also have large, sharp front teeth, which is why they are called "dog" snappers. These teeth can give a painful bite, even from a small fish!
What Do Mangrove Snappers Eat?
Mangrove snappers mostly eat small fish. They also enjoy crustaceans like crabs and shrimp. Other favorites include squid and snails. Interestingly, they have even been seen waiting under colonies of bats in the Bahamas. They wait for bats that might fall into the water near cave entrances!
Where Do Mangrove Snappers Live?
The mangrove snapper is one of the most common snapper species in warm parts of the world. They are very flexible about where they live. You can find them in canals, grassy areas, and even in open ocean water.
They especially like places with structures. This includes docks, mangrove trees, old shipwrecks, and other debris. In open water, they usually hang out near structures on the bottom or around coral reefs. They can live in water from 5 to 180 meters (16 to 590 feet) deep. But most of the time, you'll find them in shallower water, less than 50 meters (164 feet) deep.
Fishing for Mangrove Snappers
Mangrove snappers are a popular fish for people who love to fish. They are highly valued because their meat is light and flaky. You can find them all year round. They are often found near mangroves, docks, or other underwater structures.
They are quite easy to catch, which makes them great for new anglers. Plus, they often swim in schools, so you might catch many in a short time! They are strong for their size and put up a good fight when hooked.
Best Baits for Mangrove Snappers
You can catch mangrove snappers using many different baits. People often use live or frozen shrimp, squid, or small fish like pilchards, mullet, ballyhoo, and pinfish. Sometimes, they can even be caught with artificial lures.
Spearfishing for Mangrove Snappers
You can also catch them by spearfishing. However, they can be a bit tricky to spear. They tend to be more cautious of divers than curious. As they get bigger, they become even more wary of both bait and divers.
Typical Catches
Most mangrove snappers are caught with light to medium fishing gear. In shallow or coastal waters, typical catches are about 20 to 35 centimeters (8 to 14 inches) long, weighing about 0.2 to 0.9 kilograms (0.5 to 2.0 pounds). In deeper waters, they can be up to 50 centimeters (20 inches) long, weighing around 2.3 kilograms (5 pounds). Larger fish are not common, but they are not super rare either.
Farming Mangrove Snappers
Did you know that mangrove snappers are also farmed? They are raised in floating fish farms in places like Asia and Oceania. For example, there are farms off Pulau Ubin Island in Singapore. These farmed fish are sold to restaurants and supermarkets in Singapore and around the world for people to eat.
