Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus)

Scientific name: Ocyurus chrysurus Bloch, 1791

Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus)

The Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) is a marine fish of the family Lutjanidae.

Biology

Inhabits coastal waters, mostly around coral reefs. Usually seen well above the bottom, frequently in aggregations. Young individuals are usually found over weed beds. Feeds mainly at night. Feeds on a combination of plankton and benthic animals including fishes, crustaceans, worms, gastropods and cephalopods. Juveniles feed primarily on plankton. Spawning occurs throughout the year, with peaks at different times in different areas. Marketed fresh and frozen. Has been reared in captivity.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Ocyurus chrysurus
Family
Lutjanidae (Snappers)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
86.3
Common length
40.0
Depth range
0–180 m (0–591 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 180 m, usually 10 - 70 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: extending northward to Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda and southward to southeastern Brazil, in Gulf of Mexico and Antilles. Most common in the Bahamas, off south Florida and throughout the Caribbean. Lutjanus ambiguus, an intergeneric hybrid with Lutjanus synagris as demonstrated by Loftus, followed by McEachran &. Fechhelm.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.10-0.16; tm=2; tmax=14)

More other marine fish

See all other marine fish

Sources

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

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