Fish Identification Photos: Golden Snapper, Lutjanus inermis: The Golden Snapper is distinguished by an overall red tinge with narrow brown stripes on its sides that run obliquely above the lateral lines.

The body of the Golden Snapper is elongated with dark fins and a very forked tail. There is a white blotch below the posterior end of the dorsal fin.

The Golden Snapper reaches a maximum of 14 inches in length and is found in the first 120 feet of the water column over rocky bottoms, close to caves and crevices. It feeds on crabs, mollusks, octopus, shrimp, and small fish.

The Golden Snapper can be confused with the Yellow Snapper, Lutjanus argentiventris (large scales with no oblique lines and very yellow fins).

In Mexico, the Golden Snapper is reported to live only along the coast of the mainland between Acapulco and Guatemala.

Thus, the collection pictured below is “out of range,” extending the known range of the species.

The Golden Snapper is a member of the Lutjanidae or Snapper Family, which are known as "pargos” in Mexico.

Golden Snapper, Lutjanus inermis: Caught with Capt. Pata in the panga Salomé, at La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, in 75-degree water, early morning, in April 2006, in water 60 feet deep, utilizing a size 2 Sabiki rig, 15 miles north of La Playita. Size approximately 6 inches. Fish identification courtesy of Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama. Description courtesy of John Snow.