Side by Side

Mangrove Snapper Lutjanus griseus

Typical: 12–18 in, 1–4 lb

Quickest tell: Gray (mangrove) snapper lacks the mutton's blue facial lines and high side spot and lacks the yellowtail's bright yellow lateral stripe and yellow tail; look for the dark eye-bar and a plain gray body with no markings.

• Gray to reddish-brown body, often a coppery sheen
• Dark band through the eye, more obvious when feeding/excited
• Two enlarged canine teeth in the upper jaw
• Reddish-orange tinge to the fins; no spot on the body
• Single continuous dorsal, slightly forked tail

Full Mangrove Snapper guide — season, gear and rules →

Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus

Typical: 16–28 in, 3–12 lb

Quickest tell: A red eye, angular anal fin, canine teeth and a barely forked tail separate the larger red snapper from the small-mouthed, deeply-forked-tailed vermilion.

• Uniform brick-red to rosy body, red iris
• Sloping forehead and pointed snout
• Anal fin pointed/angular (not rounded)
• Enlarged canine teeth in the jaws; large mouth
• Tail only slightly forked; juveniles show a dark spot high on the side that fades with age

Full Red Snapper guide — season, gear and rules →

When Each Is Running July — current month highlighted

Where Mangrove Snapper and Red Snapper Overlap

Both run in Gulf of Mexico — that is where telling them apart actually matters.

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