LANE SNAPPER
Lutjanus synagris
English: Redtail Snapper, Candy Snapper, Candy Striper
Spanish: bermejuelo, biajaiba, chino, manchego, mancheva, pargo, pargo biajaiba, pargo guanapo, pargo viajaiba, rayado, villajaiba
Lane snapper have two color phases. The deep-water phase coloration is darker and more pronounced than those with the shallow-water resting phase coloration. Both color phases have pink to red upper sides and backs with a green tinge. The lower sides and belly are silver with a yellow tinge. The head has 3 or 4 yellow stripes running from the snout to the eye, the lower jaw projects slightly. There are eight to ten yellow to pink horizontal stripes on their sides, and three or four stripes below their anterior dorsal ray. There is a diffuse black spot below the soft portion of the dorsal fin. All fins are yellow to red.
Lane snappers have an average length of 14 inches (36 cm), with a maximum length of 20 inches (50 cm). They usually weigh less than a pound.
This fish is a popular sport and a high quality food fish.