Vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens)

Scientific name: Rhomboplites aurorubens Cuvier, 1829

The Vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) is a marine fish of the family Lutjanidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Bermuda and North Carolina, USA, to S?o Paulo, Brazil, including West Indies, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea (Anderson, pers. comm.).

Biology

Found in moderately deep waters, most common over rock, gravel or sand bottoms near the edge of the continental and island shelves. Young fish occur in shallower depths (below 25 m). Often forms large schools, particularly the young. Feeds on fishes, shrimps, crabs, polychaetes, other benthic invertebrates, cephalopods and planktonic organisms. Good food fish.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Rhomboplites aurorubens
Family: Lutjanidae (Snappers)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 60.0
Common length: 35.0
Depth range: 40–300 m (131–984 ft)
Environment: Marine; demersal; depth range 40 - 300 m, usually 40 - 100 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Bermuda and North Carolina, USA, to S?o Paulo, Brazil, including West Indies, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea (Anderson, pers. comm.).
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.20; tm=3; tmax=10)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026