Description: color silvery-pink to reddish with short, irregular pink and yellow lines on its sides; diffuse black spot, about as large as the eye. This is a frequent tactic in nature to confuse the predator into thinking this is the prays head. The dorsal fin centered above the lateral line; outer margin of caudal fin blackish.

Similar Fish: mutton snapper, L. analis (anal fin rounded in lane snapper, pointed in mutton).

Where found: juveniles INSHORE over grass beds or shallow reefs; adults OFFSHORE; most common in south Florida. This fish was caught in the Florida Keys.

Size: usually less than 1 pound.

*Florida Record: 6 lbs., 6 ozs.

Lane Snapper