Species profile
Yellowtail Snapper
Ocyurus chrysurus
At a glance
Yellowtail Snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) is an IUCN Data Deficient bony-fish species regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Bag limits are uniform at 10 per angler across the 3 regulating jurisdictions.
Across 3 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 16.0 in (≈ 1 ft 4 in).
Confirmed by 609 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, New York, and Texas the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- A bright yellow stripe runs from snout to tail, making it unmistakable among reef fish.
- Yellowtail snapper can live up to 14 years and reach lengths of 30 inches.
- They form large, mixed-species schools near coral reefs and seagrass beds.
- Prized for their mild, sweet flesh, they are one of Florida's most popular table fish.
- They are opportunistic nighttime feeders, targeting small fish, shrimp, and squid.
Where Yellowtail Snapper are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Yellowtail Snapper
Background
The yellowtail snapper is an abundant species of snapper native to the western Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Although they have been found as far north as Massachusetts, their normal range is along Florida south to the West Indies and Brazil. This species is mostly found around coral reefs, but may be found in other habitats. They occur at depths of from near…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Yellowtail Snapper article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.