Species profile
Schoolmaster Snapper
Lutjanus apodus
Identify Schoolmaster Snapper (Lutjanus apodus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 2 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Schoolmaster Snapper (Lutjanus apodus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 5 (Florida); the most generous is 10 (Florida).
Confirmed by 802 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, New York, and Texas the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Schoolmaster snappers form stationary daytime groups near coral heads, dispersing to hunt at night.
- All of their fins are bright yellow, making them easily identifiable among other reef snappers.
- Juveniles shelter in mangrove roots and seagrass beds before migrating to offshore reefs as adults.
- They feed primarily on small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks during nighttime hunting forays.
- Schoolmasters can reach 14 inches in length and are found from Florida to northern South America.
Where Schoolmaster Snapper are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Schoolmaster Snapper
Background
The schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus apodus) is a colorful, subtropical fish found over coral reef areas along the coasts of Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean, though it can range northward along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Adults are 12–14 in (30–35 cm) long and weigh 1.0–2.0 lb (0.4–0.8 kg), though rare individuals can weigh 8 lb at 24 in long. It has a robust, slightly…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Schoolmaster Snapper article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Schoolmaster Snapper?
Schoolmaster Snapper (Lutjanus apodus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Schoolmaster Snapper?
Schoolmaster Snapper is Lutjanus apodus.
Is Schoolmaster Snapper regulated for fishing?
Yes — Schoolmaster Snapper has fishing regulations in 2 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 Schoolmaster Snapper?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Schoolmaster 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.