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Photo of a Lane Snapper

Species profile

Lane Snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Bony fishIUCN: Near Threatened1.8K iNat observations

Identify Lane Snapper (Lutjanus synagris) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 5 jurisdictions.

At a glance

Lane Snapper (Lutjanus synagris) is an IUCN Near Threatened bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.

The strictest bag limit is 10 (Louisiana); the most generous is 100 (Florida).

Across 5 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 8.4 in.

Confirmed by 1,023 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Texas, and Alabama the top jurisdictions by observation count.

Notable details

  • Lane snappers display vivid yellow horizontal stripes and a bold black spot on the lateral line.
  • They can live up to 19 years, a surprisingly long lifespan for such a small fish.
  • Typically 8 to 14 inches long, they are among the most abundant snappers in the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Lane snappers form large schools on reef and sandy-bottom habitats throughout the Caribbean Sea.
  • Their mild, flaky white flesh makes them popular table fare for coastal anglers across the region.

Background

The lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) is a species of snapper native to the western Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It can be found in a wide range of habitats, though it prefers coral reefs and sandy areas with plentiful vegetation. It occurs at depths from 10 to 400 m (33 to 1,312 ft), most frequently between 21 and 70 m…

Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Lane Snapper article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lane Snapper?

Lane Snapper (Lutjanus synagris) is an IUCN Near Threatened bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.

What is the scientific name for Lane Snapper?

Lane Snapper is Lutjanus synagris.

Is Lane Snapper regulated for fishing?

Yes — Lane Snapper has fishing regulations in 5 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.

How can I identify Lane Snapper?

Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Lane Snapper along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.

Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.