Yellowtail Snapper
Ocyurus chrysurus (Bloch, 1791)
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean (includes Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean)
Habitat: Coral Reefs, depths up to 180 meters
Diet: Crustaceans, Worms, Small Fish, Algae
Social Grouping: Schools
Reproduction: Spawn in groups from spring to fall, peaking in summer (can be year-round). Over 100,000 (potentially over one million) eggs released floating in the water, externally spawned. Hatch within 24 hours. Generally sexually mature at 3-4 years old.
Lifespan: Approximately 10 Years
Conservation Status: IUCN Data Deficient
- Body length generally 40 centimeters, but very large specimens have measured 85 centimeters and weighed 5 kilograms. One dorsal fin, one anal fin. Long pectoral fins
- Background color is blueish-gray, paler on the underside, with most prominent color being a distinct yellow band with starts at the snout and runs to the deeply forked tail, which is completely yellow. Some light yellow spotting elsewhere on the body. Dorsal fin is also yellow, other fins are whitish.
- Predators include barracuda, sharks, grouper, mackerels, and dolphins
- Popular sport fish. popular cuisine. Not currently believed to be overfished in general, but some regional declines have been reported. Sometimes caught in large numbers by shrimp trawlers. Also commercially farmed
- Occasional reports of humans experiencing poisoning after eating this species, believed to have been caused by snappers feedings on toxic microalgae found on dead coral
- Scientific name translates to "Golden Swift Tail"
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