Blackfin snapper (Lutjanus buccanella)

Scientific name: Lutjanus buccanella Cuvier, 1828

The Blackfin snapper (Lutjanus buccanella) is a marine fish of the family Lutjanidae.

Biology

Adults inhabit deeper waters over sandy or rocky bottoms and near drop-offs and ledges. Young occur in shallower water, often between about 35 and 50 m. Feeds mainly on fishes. Good food fish, it is marketed mostly fresh.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Lutjanus buccanella
Family: Lutjanidae (Snappers)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 75.0
Common length: 50.0
Depth range: 20–200 m (66–656 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 200 m, usually 80 - 150 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: as far north as North Carolina, USA and Bermuda south to Trinidad and northern Brazil; including the Gulf of Mexico. Very common in the Caribbean, particularly the Antilles.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.10-0.70)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026