Louisiana Deep Sea Fishing

Red Snapper

Red Snapper

The red snapper  is a fish found in the Gulf of Mexico and  commonly inhabits waters 30 to two 200 feet deep, some are reported to be caught at 300 feet deep. All feature a sloped profile, medium-to-large scales, a spiny dorsal fin and a laterally compressed body.

The oldest  caught red snapper was a reported fifty-seven years old. The red snapper is light red, with more intense pigment on the back. A red snapper attains sexual maturity at 2–5 years old.

An adult snapper can live for more than 50 years and weigh 50 pounds.  Red snapper are a prized food fish, caught commercially, as well as recreationally. Red snapper is the most commonly caught snapper in the USA,  with similar species being more common elsewhere. When “red snapper” is sold in restaurants, it may be one of similar snapper species or rockfish in order to meet demand or reduce costs.