Lutjanus jocu
Dog Snapper
Maximum Size:
4.25 ft (1.28 m), 63 lbs (28.6 kg)
Longevity:
Up to 30 years
Typical depth:
16–98 ft (5–30 m)
Behavior:
Dog snapper have large canine teeth, much like dogs, which are visible even when the mouth is closed. Young snapper may be found in rivers and estuaries, but adults are usually found on coral reefs. They have a varied diet, which includes crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters, as well as octopuses, Queen conch and numerous species of fish. They are generally solitary but form large groups during spawning.
Predators:
Sharks and large grouper.
Did you know?
Dog snapper are found through the Western Atlantic, as far north as Massachusetts in the USA, and south to São Paulo in Brazil. In 2005 an individual was reported in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Italy.
