Yellowtail Snapper

Yellowtail snapper are highly valued for their delicate, flaky flesh, which is white in color and mild in flavor.

Yellowtail Snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) is a species of snapper native to the western Atlantic Ocean, from Bermuda to southern Brazil. It is an important food fish, popular among recreational and commercial anglers, and is also commonly found in seafood markets.

Appearance

Yellowtail snapper have a distinctive elongated and oval-shaped body, with a pointed snout and large eyes. They are a strikingly beautiful fish with a bright, metallic silver body that fades to a yellow or gold color towards the tail. The yellowtail snapper has a bright yellow stripe running along its body from its snout to its tail, and its fins are yellow as well.

Habitat

Yellowtail snapper inhabit the shallow coral reefs and rocky bottoms of the Western Atlantic Ocean, from Bermuda to southern Brazil. They prefer to stay near the bottom in depths of 20 to 250 feet (6 to 76 meters), and often inhabit areas near ledges, coral heads, and rocky structures.

Fishing and Seasonality

Yellowtail snapper can be caught year-round, but the best time to fish for them is typically from late spring to early fall, when they spawn in large numbers in shallow waters near reefs. They are often caught using a variety of baits, including live shrimp, squid, and small fish, as well as artificial lures. Yellowtail snapper are also often targeted using spearfishing techniques.

Culinary

Yellowtail snapper are highly valued for their delicate, flaky flesh, which is white in color and mild in flavor. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, including grilling, baking, frying, and steaming. Yellowtail snapper is often used in ceviche, a popular seafood dish in Latin America.

Conservation

Yellowtail snapper is a commercially important fish, and its population is closely monitored by fisheries management organizations. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has set annual catch limits for yellowtail snapper in the Gulf of Mexico to prevent overfishing, and similar regulations are in place in other regions. Recreational anglers are also required to follow size and bag limits to help preserve the population.