Mutton snapper
Encyclopedia
The mutton snapper is a fish
of the Lutjanidae) family. Largely a Caribbean species, they can be found from North Carolina to South America. They prefer low relief reef structure searching for fishes, shrimps, crabs, squid, and snails. In the Florida keys they may be encountered in shallow water, over coralline bottom. In that habitat, they are very colorful with an olive tinted back and red sides. In deeper water, they can easily be mistaken for Red Snapper (L. Campechanus) Also a favorite of spear fishermen, the Mutton Snapper is an often difficult target as they don't allow close approach.
Mutton snapper is a highly prized fish by saltwater anglers. It can be caught on a variety of baits, but is most commonly caught on live or frozen shrimp, whole or cut squid, minnows, and smaller bait fish (such as live or dead pinfish). Muttons have been caught on artificial baits but seem to prefer live bait
above all others as a general rule. Mutton snapper can generally be found in deeper (50' to 200' or deeper) water, although catches (generally of juveniles and smaller fish) are not uncommon in more shallow water. Muttons are also possible to catch on the surface during night-fishing expeditions. Muttons are typically known as great fighters relative to other snapper species, and thusly, are harder to land on lighter tackle. Many muttons are often landed as a "by-product" of anglers targeting other species of snapper
or grouper
.
Mutton snapper, especially adults, tend to be solitary, but can be seen in smaller schools. Mutton snapper is considered by most as excellent table fare. Like most of the snapper family, the meat is white, flaky and light; and is excellent prepared in a variety of ways.
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
of the Lutjanidae) family. Largely a Caribbean species, they can be found from North Carolina to South America. They prefer low relief reef structure searching for fishes, shrimps, crabs, squid, and snails. In the Florida keys they may be encountered in shallow water, over coralline bottom. In that habitat, they are very colorful with an olive tinted back and red sides. In deeper water, they can easily be mistaken for Red Snapper (L. Campechanus) Also a favorite of spear fishermen, the Mutton Snapper is an often difficult target as they don't allow close approach.
Mutton snapper is a highly prized fish by saltwater anglers. It can be caught on a variety of baits, but is most commonly caught on live or frozen shrimp, whole or cut squid, minnows, and smaller bait fish (such as live or dead pinfish). Muttons have been caught on artificial baits but seem to prefer live bait
Live Bait
Live Bait is a 1997 live album of the Canadian comedy music group The Arrogant Worms. It features concert versions of some of the songs from their previous releases plus some new material.-Track listing:# "Jesus' Brother Bob"# "The Mountie Song"...
above all others as a general rule. Mutton snapper can generally be found in deeper (50' to 200' or deeper) water, although catches (generally of juveniles and smaller fish) are not uncommon in more shallow water. Muttons are also possible to catch on the surface during night-fishing expeditions. Muttons are typically known as great fighters relative to other snapper species, and thusly, are harder to land on lighter tackle. Many muttons are often landed as a "by-product" of anglers targeting other species of snapper
Lutjanidae
Snappers are a family of perciform fish, mainly marine but with some members inhabiting estuaries, feeding in freshwater. Some are important food fish. One of the best known is the red snapper....
or grouper
Grouper
Groupers are fish of any of a number of genera in the subfamily Epinephelinae of the family Serranidae, in the order Perciformes.Not all serranids are called groupers; the family also includes the sea basses. The common name grouper is usually given to fish in one of two large genera: Epinephelus...
.
Mutton snapper, especially adults, tend to be solitary, but can be seen in smaller schools. Mutton snapper is considered by most as excellent table fare. Like most of the snapper family, the meat is white, flaky and light; and is excellent prepared in a variety of ways.
Source
- Huntsman, G. 1996. Lutjanus analis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 4 August 2007.