It is one of the most common snapper from
Florida to South America. Occasionally, it
reaches as far north as Massachusetts and as
far south as southeastern Brazil.
It is a handsome fish, varying from orangish
to reddish yellow with small blue streaks on
the head, back and flanks, and orangish
fins. The colors may vary, as with most
species of fish. A combination of factors
distinguish it from other snappers. There is
a black, oval shaped spot on the upper flank
on each side, the anal fin and rear edge of
the dorsal fin is angulate (pointed rather
than rounded), the tail is lunate, and the
dorsal fin has ten spines and fourteen rays.
Although at first glance the mutton snapper
and the lane snapper may look exactly alike,
both having similar coloration, a lunate
tail and even the same oval spot on the
upper flanks, a closer look will reveal that
the lane snapper has yellow streaks or
horizontal stripes on the body, whereas the
mutton snapper has small, oblique, blue
streaks on a yellowish background, though
these tend to disappear with age. Also, the
anal fin and rear edge of the dorsal fin of
the lane snapper are not sharply pointed but
appear to be squarish or even rounded. Of
all the species of Lutjanidae having a dark
spot on the flanks below the dorsal fin, the
mutton snapper (L. analis) is the only one
in which the tooth patch in the roof of the
mouth has no median extension and resembles
a crescent rather than an anchor shape.
Large mutton snappers take on a reddish
coloration and are often mistaken for red
snappers.
They attain weights in excess of 25 30 lb
(11 14 kg). They are strong fighters on
light tackle and can be taken on natural
baits or small lures fished or slowly
trolled near the bottom. Normally associated
with reefs, wrecks, holes, and channels,
they are nevertheless occasionally found on
the flats and can be caught there by fly
fishing. They may also be lured to the
surface and caught on a fly.
The flesh is firm and white and is excellent
eating whether baked, broiled, or prepared
by any other method.
