Yellowtail snapper
Ocyurus chrysurus
- Saltwater
Max length33.75 in
Common length15.75 in
Length typeTotal Length
Max weight8 lb 13 oz
Depth range0 - 591 ft
Max age14 years
Water typeSaltwater
Water temperature70 - 81 °F
Fish info
Short description
Yellowtail snapper have an olive to bluish back with yellow spots above the lateral band, yellow stripe (lateral band) on the side, from mouth to tail, broadening toward the rear, their tail is completely yellow and deeply forked. The belly and lower sides have narrow longitudinal stripes that are pale red to yellow, and the fins are yellowish. The dorsal and caudal fins are yellow, and the anal and pelvic fins are whitish. No dark spot on the side below the dorsal fin like found in other snappers. In comparison with most other snapper species the head and mouth of the yellowtail snapper are small. The pectoral fins are long, reaching the anus.
Habitat
Found mainly in tropical waters, generally near coral reefs. Young individuals are usually found in weed beds.
Distribution
Native to the western Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Western Atlantic: extending northward to Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda and southward to southeastern Brazil.
Behaviour
Spawn in mid-summer..Usually seen well above the bottom, frequently in aggregations. They feed on a combination of plankton and benthic animals including fishes, crustaceans, worms, gastropods and cephalopods, mainly at night.
Edibility
Excellent, they are prized for their light, flaky meat and are considered by some to be the best of the snapper family.
Lure suggestion
The go-to technique for catching yellowtail snapper is chumming, natural baits usually work better, but you can use a variety of jigs (minnow jigs, bucktail jigs, epoxy jigs, etc.) as well. Good bait: shrimp, squid, minnows, small pilchards, chunks of bonito, silversides, or other small baitfish.
Similar species
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Other snappers