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The Yellow tail snapper has a prominent yellow stripe on both sides, making it easy to identify. The back and upper sides are olive to bluish and have yellow spots. The fins are yellow and the undersides are red to yellow with longitudinal stripes.

Range and Habitat

Yellow tail snapper is native to the Caribbean Sea, the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico including also Brazil. It is one of the most abundant fish near the reefs in the Dominican Republic, including the North Coast and specially Sosua, which has a well known diving community.

Yellowtail Snapper range in the Caribbean

Size and Weight

Yellow tail snapper can reach lengths of 86cm (34 inch) but most are 40cm(16 inch). The largest ever reported was 4.1kg(9.0 lb). Fishermen favor this fish for sports fishing, it also has been farmed and used widely in aquariums as a display species.

Feeding & Breeding

Yellow tails eat worms, smaller fish, cephalopods, benthic organism, crabs, and shrimp. Adults are nocturnal predators. Sexual maturity is reached at lengths of 10-12 inches(25-30cm) and life expectancy is 6-14 years. They spawn in groups offshore and off the edges of reefs from spring to fall.

On Video

Sources:

• Smithsonian – Ocyurus Chrysurus
• Florida Museum – Yellow Tail Snapper
• Fla. Sportsman – Yellow Snapper

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