Fish Identification Photos: Yellow Snapper, Lutjanus argentiventris: The Yellow Snapper is a member of the Lutjanidea or Snapper Family, which are known in English as snappers, and in Mexico as "pargos."

The Yellow Snapper is one of a group of several similar snappers generally having yellow bodies, and usually, five white or bluish-white stripes, each outlined by thin black lines. Other members of this group include the Five-lined Seaperch, Lutjanus quinquelineatus, of the Persian Gulf, and the widely-distributed Bluestripe Snapper, Lutjanus kasmira.

The Yellow Snapper is distinguished by an overall yellow color of the tail and lower part of the body. Larger adult Yellow Snappers are actually two-toned, rosy red in the front and yellow in the back. Juvenile Yellow Snappers have a distinctive blue streak below the eye. They can be confused with the Golden Snapper, Lutjanus inermis (dark lines along the scale rows, forked tail, and only found along the coast of the mainland south of Acapulco).

In Mexico, the Yellow Snapper is the commonest snapper species in the Sea of Cortez, ranging from Puerto Penasco to Guatemala, and extending north on the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula to Magdalena Bay. They are also present around the oceanic islands.

The Yellow Snapper grows to about two feet in length and is found in the first 200 feet of the water column, over rocky bottoms close to caves and crevices. They are also accessible from the shore around rocky structure. It feeds on crabs, mollusks, octopuses, shrimp, and small fish. The Yellow Snapper is viewed as excellent table fare.

Yellow Snapper, Lutjanus argentiventris: Caught with Capt. Pata in the panga Salome, at La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, in 73-degree water, mid-morning in April 2003, in 200 to 250-foot deept water, utilizing a 30-pound test line, 40-pound two-dropper loop rig with swivel, 3-ounce bank sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size 2/0, with a live sardina, 10 miles north of La Playita. Size approximately 18 inches and 4 pounds. Fairly common "down deep" and a strong fighter. Viewed by locals as prized table fare. The Yellow Snapper has been caught on rare occasions from the surf. —Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Yellow Snapper, Lutjanus argentiventris: Caught from a canoe with a 10WT flyrod by Gifford Kira in 20 feet of water, just north of Roca Solitaria, Bahia Agua Verde, near Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Yellow Snapper, Lutjanus argentiventris: Caught at night with cut bait and handline, near Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo courtesy Jeff Petersen and the Carnaderos baitsellers cooperativa. Yellow Snapper, Lutjanus argentiventris: Nineteen inches long, caught on 8-pound line with a Rapala at Punta Colorada, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico, November 2001. Description, photo, and fish I.D. courtesy Peter Langstraat.