Cubera Snapper

(Lutjanus cyanopterus)

 

Maturity at: 60 cm in length

Max Published Size: 160 cm and 125 pounds

TnT Record: 124 pounds (unofficial)

TnT Season: Year round with peaks from June to Nov

IUCN status: Vulnerable

 

 

General Information: Adults are found mainly around ledges over rocky bottoms or around reefs, between 70 to 180 ft deep. Young fish sometimes inhabit mangrove areas. Feed mainly on fishes, shrimps and crabs. It is known to form gigantic spawning aggregations: in Belize up to 10,000 individuals have been known to get together.  It is commercially important and is also sought-after as a game fish, though it has been reported to possibly cause ciguatera poisoning.  A wary fish, not easily approached underwater, however, some cases where large individuals have shown threatening displays similar to those of the goliath grouper have been reported, in which the fish shakes its body while keeping their fins firmly extended.