Yellowtail snapper
Ocyurus chrysurus
(Bloch, 1791)
Description:
Body oblong-shaped, with a triangular head and a tailed tail. Body silvery to white, often tinged with blue. A prominent mid-lateral yellow band runs from the snout to the tail. The lower sides and belly whitish with narrow reddish and yellow stripes. Dorsal and tail fins yellow, the anal and ventral fins whitish. Slightly upturned snout with a large mouth and prominent canine teeth near the front of the jaw. Head relatively small, lower jaw projecting slightly beyond the upper.
Size up to 86 cm.
Habitat:
Inhabits coastal waters, mostly around coral reefs, most common to 20 m, but reported from 180 m. Usually seen well below the bottom, frequently in aggregations. Feeds mainly at night, on a combination of planktonic and benthic animals, including fish, crustaceans, worms, gastropods and cephalopods. Young individuals are usually found over weed beds. They feed primarily on plankton.
Distribution:
Common Florida and Bahamas, abundant Caribbean.