Fish Identification Photos: Yellowtail Snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus: The Yellowtail Snapper is easily identified due its prominent mid-lateral yellow stripe that begins on the snout, broadens as it passes along the body and continues into the tail. Above this stripe the Yellowtail Snapper has spots on a blue background. Below this stripe the Yellowtail Snapper has narrow yellow stripes on a lighter background.

The Yellowtail Snapper has an elongated slender body and reaches a maximum of 34 inches and 9 pounds; however 1 to 3-pound fish is normal.

The dorsal fin of the Yellowtail Snapper is continuous with 10 strong spines, the fifth of which is the longest, and 12 to 14 soft rays. The anal fin has 3 spines and 8 or 9 rays with the third spine being longer than the second. The caudal fin is long and deeply forked with the upper lobe being longer than the lower. The pectoral fins are long, reaching the anus. The Yellowtail Snapper has a small oblique mouth with a projecting lower jaw, however, it lacks the prominent canine teeth found in other snappers. The fins vary in color from clear to a deep yellow-brown.

The Yellowtail Snapper is more pelagic than other snappers and is seldom seen in abundance. It is normally found between 65 and 230 feet deep in the water column. However, large fish known as "flags" are caught out of very deep water, i.e., 600 deep feet over reefs.

The Yellowtail Snapper is deemed to be an excellent food fish with a significant commercial fishery. For example, in Florida, 2 million pounds valued at $4 million are taken annually.

From a recreational perspective the Yellowtail Snapper is viewed as one of the better sportfishing opponents because it is one of the wariest of biters. The female Yellowtail Snapper annually lays between 100,000 and 1.5 million pelagic eggs that hatch within 20 hours. The Yellowtail Snapper has a lifespan of approximately 14 years.

In Mexican waters the Yellowtail Snapper is found in all waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is caught in abundance along the tropical Mexican coast by fishing boats trolling or casting small jigs.

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

Yellowtail Snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus: A commercially caught fish courtesy of the Ranch 99 Market, San Diego, Calif., January 2008. Size, approximately 14 inches. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.