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  • convex between eyes
    D X, 10, no notch
    D & A: no scales, last ray < previous ray
    body & fins dark grey
    Apsilus dentatus, Black snapper
    top jaw: no scales
  • elongate, fusiform
    uniforme red
    flat between eyes
    D X, 11, deep notch
    soft D & A not scaled, last ray v elongate
    Etelis oculatus, Queen snapper
    top jaw scaled
  • iris & fins red
    blue lines under eye
    spot above LL under soft D: small
    juv flank: spot large, ll through lower 1/2; rows blue spots
    Lutjanus analis, Mutton snapper
    roof mouth tooth patch: V shaped
    A 8, end pointed
    LL 47-51
  • yellow
    blue line along cheek
    juv: oblique head stripe + pale bars
    D usually 14
    juv: oblique dark stripe - snout to back of nape, pale bars on body
    Lutjanus apodus, Schoolmaster snapper
    roof mouth tooth patch: anchor shaped
    A rounded end
    LL 40-45
  • red/orange
    iris yellow
    juv: grey, tail base & C yellow, pectoral base black
    D usually 14
    pectoral base: black blotch
    Lutjanus buccanella, Blackfin snapper
    roof mouth tooth patch: anchor shaped
    A end rounded
    LL 47-50
  • red body & fins
    iris red
    juv: dark spot under soft D
    D 14
    Lutjanus campechanus, Northern red snapper, Red snapper
    roof mouth tooth patch: anchor shaped
    A 9, end pointed
    scales (lateral + above & below LL) 69-75
  • grey-brown, back with 8-9 pale bars
    juv: stronger body bars
    D usually 14
    fins dark
    Lutjanus cyanopterus, Cubera snapper
    roof mouth tooth patch: triangular/crescent
    top & bottom canines v strong
    A 7-8, end rounded
    LL 45-47
  • slender
    grey +/- oblique head stripe
    juv: strong bars, D edge blackish
    D usually 14
    Lutjanus griseus, Grey snapper
    roof mouth tooth patch: anchor shaped
    large upper canines
    pectoral short
    A 8 end rounded
    LL 43-47
  • grey + white triangle under eye
    juv: oblique head stripe
    D usually 14
    Lutjanus jocu, Dog snapper
    roof mouth tooth patch: anchor shaped
    upper canines much larger
    pectoral long
    A 8, end rounded
    LL 46-49
  • large eye
    grey, red edges to fins
    juv: oblique head stripe
    D usually 12
    spot under soft D: 1/4-1/2 below LL
    Lutjanus mahogoni, Mahogany snapper
    roof mouth tooth patch: anchor shaped
    upper canines much larger
    gill rakers 7-8+15-17
    A end rounded
    LL 47-49
  • red
    iris red
    juv: dark spot under soft D
    D 14
    roof mouth tooth patch: anchor shaped
    A 9, end pointed
    scales (lateral + above & below LL) 77-81
  • grey + yellow stripes; blotch under D mostly above LL
    juv: black spot under soft D, pelvic & A yellow, D edge red
    D usually 12
    spot under soft D: <1/4 below LL
    juv: black spot under soft D, pelvic & A yellow, D edge red
    Lutjanus synagris, Lane snapper
    roof mouth tooth patch: anchor shaped
    upper canines much larger
    gill rakers 6-7+12-15
    A end rounded
    LL 47-50
  • red, iris & pectoral yellow
    juv: black spot under soft D
    D usually 14
    Lutjanus vivanus, Silk snapper
    roof mouth tooth patch: anchor shaped
    upper canines much larger
    A 8, end pointed
  • elongate, oval
    grey + yellow stripe & fins
    D X, 12-13, no notch, last ray not elongated
    soft D & A scaled
    C forked, lobes elongated
    Ocyurus chrysurus, Yellowtail snapper
    sides roof mouth: 2 pr tooth patches
  • body depth 31-41% SL
    pink, D margin & both lobes C yellow
    D & A no scales, last rays filamentous
    gill rakers 24-28
    roof mouth - V tooth patch
    LL 48-52
  • slender (body depth 24-28% SL)
    orange/red, D margin & C top lobe yellow
    D & A no scales, last rays filamentous
    Pristipomoides freemani, Slender Wenchman
    gill rakers 28-32
    roof mouth -arched tooth patch
    LL 49-51
  • elongate oval
    dark pink above, C dark pink
    D & A no scales, last rays filamentous
    gill rakers 19-25
    roof mouth - tooth patch in V
    LL 54-57
  • oval, elongated
    body and fins red
    roof mouth: rhomboid tooth patch
    D XII, 11, last ray not elongated
    soft D & A scaled
    C forked
    Rhomboplites aurorubens, Vermilion snapper
    sides roof mouth: 2 pr tooth patches