Lane Snapper
The Lutjanus synagris is a medium sized fish, growing to a maximum of 10 inches. The body is a bright reddish-pink color on the top and down the dorsal side from head to tail, it fades into white near its belly area.
The snapper has dark pink-purple patches throughout its back and sides with small speckles on its cheeks and fins. Its distinctively pink-red snout gives this fish its name. The Lutjanus synagris is also famous for its long canine or canine-like teeth.
This carnivorous species feeds on smaller baitfish and crustaceans throughout its habitat in coastal waters of the Western Atlantic Ocean. The Lutjanus synagris is a solitary predator that will aggressively hunt down its prey.
The fish's main food source comes from crabs, shrimp, and sea worms. This snapper also eats small fish such as herring, mullet, anchovies, and menhaden. When feeding on fish or shrimp, the Lutjanus synagris will leap out of the water to grab the prey with its large jaws.
One unique characteristic about this species is that it can change sex during its life span which may be related to feeding strategies. Smaller individuals are almost always female, whereas larger ones are nearly always male. This sex change reverses if an individual is re-released back into the water after capture.
It is found in tropical waters throughout the world, typically in subtropical locations near coral reefs. The Lutjanus synagris has also been encountered in temperate areas where it may be a transient visitor or part of the normal migration pattern. It is also found in bays and inlets, and rarely enters the lower reaches of rivers.
The fish is found at depths ranging from 3–70 m, usually 10–30 cm above the sea bottom and over areas with plentiful smaller fish. Sometimes spawning takes place on inshore grassy flats in water less than 2 m deep among beds of turtle grass (species within the genus Thalassia).
The Lutjanus synagris can be found in shallow waters less than 65 feet deep surrounding coral reefs, wrecks, and ledges. This species lives in tropical climates year-round.
Global lane snapper production
The lane snapper is a small, saltwater fish that can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. It is a popular food fish and is often caught for commercial purposes. The lane snapper has a reddish-brown body with white spots and dark stripes running along its sides. It typically grows to about 30 cm (12 in) in length and weighs up to 1 kg (2.2 lb).
The lane snapper is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina to Brazil, as well as in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Senegal to Angola. It is also found in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The fish is not found in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Lane snappers are a type of fish that is popular in many parts of the world. They are often used in sushi and sashimi, and can be found in markets across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
While lane snappers are not as widely known as some other types of fish, they are an important part of the global seafood trade. In 2016, lane snappers were the ninth most valuable fish species in the world, with a value of $1.3 billion. The vast majority of lane snappers are caught in the wild, though a small number are raised in aquaculture facilities.
Wild-caught lane snappers are typically found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. The largest lane snapper fisheries are in Indonesia, the Philippines, and India. These countries accounted for more than 70% of the world's lane snapper production in 2016.
Lane snappers are typically sold fresh, though they can also be frozen or processed into fishmeal. The vast majority of lane snappers are consumed in Asia, particularly in China and Japan. In 2016, these two countries accounted for more than 80% of global lane snapper exports.