❑ Snapper fish belong to the family Lutjanidae and are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. ❑ Characterized by their streamlined bodies, large eyes, and sharp canine teeth ❑ They play a crucial role in marine ecosystems as both predators and prey. ▪ Snapper species vary in size, with some reaching lengths of over three feet and weights exceeding 50 pounds many snapper species are commonly found in shallow coastal waters at depths ranging from 10 to 100 meters. ▪ Some species can inhabit deeper offshore environments exceeding 200 meters. Morphology of snapper fish 1. Body Shape and Size:  Have sleek, torpedo-shaped bodies that are laterally compressed.  Small species measuring a few inches to large species reaching several feet in length.  2. Jaws and Teeth:  Their mouths are typically terminal.  Carnivorous snapper species often have conical teeth for grasping and puncturing prey  Omnivorous species may have more flattened teeth for crushing shells or grinding plant material.  3. Fins and Scales: several fins contribute to their locomotion, stability.  Two dorsal fins, one near the head  another closer to the tail, along with anal,  Pectoral, and pelvic fins  Covered in overlapping scales  That provide protection against abrasion,  Predators, and pathogens. Conclusion  Snapper fish stand out as prized species in the realm of seafood, cherished for their delectable taste, firm texture, and vibrant colors. Their streamlined bodies and sharp teeth reflect their predatory nature,  Play a vital roles within marine ecosystems.  Their popularity among anglers and consumers has led to concerns regarding overfishing and habitat degradation, prompting the implementation of management measures to ensure their long-term sustainability.  Despite these challenges, the allure of snapper fish persists, captivating both culinary enthusiasts and conservationists alike with their culinary excellence and ecological significance.

1. University of Chakwal, Pakistan

2. DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
Topic:SNAPPER FISH
Presented by: Kanza Bakht
Roll no.: UOC-BSZOL-F2020/008
BS: Zoology
Session : 2020-2024
Semester : 8th(Morning )
Course title : Ichthyology
Presented to: Dr Syeda Nadia Ahmad

3. Content
• Introduction
• Taxanomy
• Distribution
• Importance
• Unique facts
• Morphology
• Behavior
• Types of snapper fish
• Conclusions
• References

4. Introduction
❑ Snapper fish belong to the family
Lutjanidae and are widely distributed in
tropical and subtropical waters around
the world.
❑ Characterized by their streamlined
bodies, large eyes, and sharp canine
teeth
❑ They play a crucial role in marine
ecosystems as both predators and prey.
▪ Snapper species vary in size, with some
reaching lengths of over three feet and
weights exceeding 50 pounds Fig.1.1 Snapper Fish
https://fishing.tas.gov.au/species/snapper

5. Taxanomic classification
❑ Domain: Eukaryota
❑ Kingdom: Animalia
❑ Phylum: Chordata
❑ Class: Actinopterygii
❑ Order: Perciformes
❑ Family: Lutjanidae
❑ Genus:Lutjanus
❑ Specie : L.campechanus

6. Distribution
1. Tropical and Subtropical Regions:
▪ In the Indo-Pacific region, occurring in areas such as the Coral
Triangle, the Great Barrier Reef, and the islands of Southeast Asia.
▪ In the Western Atlantic, found in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of
Mexico, and along the coastlines of Central and South America.
2. Coral Reefs and Coastal Habitats:
▪ coral reef ecosystems coral reefs, rocky substrates, and mangrove
areas.
▪ Coastal habitats lagoons, estuaries, and seagrass beds(Rees et
al.,2021)

7. 3. Depth Range:
▪ While many snapper species are commonly found in
shallow coastal waters at depths ranging from 10 to 100
meters.
▪ Some species can inhabit deeper offshore environments
exceeding 200 meters. (Rees et al.,2021)

8. Importance of snapper fish
Commercial and
Recreational Fisheries
Ecosystem Balance
Biodiversity and Food
Web Dynamics
Tourism and Recreation

9. Unique facts
Longevity Social Behavior
More than 1
million recpies
Protogynous
Hermaphroditism
Coloration and
Camouflage
Begin to
reproduce when
then about 2
years old

10. Morphology of snapper fish
1. Body Shape and Size:
 Have sleek, torpedo-shaped bodies that are laterally compressed.
 Small species measuring a few inches to large species reaching
several feet in length.
 2. Jaws and Teeth:
 Their mouths are typically terminal.
 Carnivorous snapper species often have conical teeth for grasping
and puncturing prey
 Omnivorous species may have more flattened teeth for crushing
shells or grinding plant material.

11.  3. Fins and Scales: several fins contribute to their locomotion,
stability.
 Two dorsal fins, one near the head
 another closer to the tail, along with anal,
 Pectoral, and pelvic fins
 Covered in overlapping scales
 That provide protection against abrasion,
 Predators, and pathogens.
Fig 1.2 Fins of snapper fish
https://oceanfish.spc.int/en/stats/doc
download/1186-s5d-deepwater-snapper-project
Fig1.3 Scales of snapper fish
https://www.alamy.com/detail-of-fish-red-
snapper-scales-image4636331.html

12. Behavior of snapper fish:
 1. Migratory Behavior:
 The movement of individuals between different habitats or regions in
response to environmental cues or life cycle events.
 Seasonal migrations
 Reproductive migrations
 Vertical migrations (Bacheler et al., 2021)

13. 2. Parental Behavior:
 Guarding
 Nest building
 Feeding and provisioning
 Brood care (Bacheler et al., 2021)

14.  Types of snapper fish:
 Red Snapper:
 Physical Characteristics:
 Has a distinctive red coloration on their upper body and sides.
 Fading to a lighter pink or white on the lower portion of their body.
 grow up to 40 inches in length and weigh over 50 pounds
 Habitat and Distribution:
 Inhabits reef environments, rocky outcrops, coral reefs, and artificial
reefs.
 Found at depths ranging from 30 to 300 feet.
 The gulf of Mexico, along the Atlantic coast of the United States, from
North Carolina to Florida.(Spanik et al., 2017)

15. Fig 1.4 Red Snapper
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/red-snapper

16. Mangroove Snapper
 Physical Characteristics: reddish-brown to grayish body with a
prominent black lateral line running from the gill cover to the tail.
 Grow up to 24 inches in length and weigh over 10 pounds
 Habitat and Distribution:
 Commonly associated with mangrove habitats, other coastal
environments, including reefs, rocky outcrops, and seagrass beds.
 The western Atlantic, ranging from Massachusetts to Brazil, including
the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and parts of the southeastern
United States.(Piddocke et al., 2015).

17. Fig 1.5 Mangroove Snapper
https://en.m.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove-snapper

18. Lane Snapper:
 Physical Characteristics:
 Have a reddish-pink to orange body with prominent yellow stripes
running horizontally along their sides.
 They have a pointed snout, large eyes, and a deeply forked tail.
 can reach lengths of up to 18 inches and weigh over 3 pounds, Habitat
and Distribution:
 Found in coastal habitats, including reefs, rocky outcrops, and seagrass
beds.
 They are most abundant in shallow waters up to 200 feet deep
 wide distribution throughout the western Atlantic, ranging from
Massachusetts to southeastern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico,
the Caribbean Sea, and parts of the southeastern United
States.(Andrade et al., 2023)

19. Fig 1.6 Lane Snapper
https://www.floridasportsman.com/editorial/lanesnap
per/395436

20. Yellowtail Snapper:
 Physical Characteristics:
 Have a silvery body with a yellow stripe running horizontally along their
sides
 Can grow up to 24 inches in length and weigh over 5 pounds
 Habitat and distribution:
 Found in coastal habitats, including reefs, rocky outcrops, and seagrass
beds.
 They are most abundant in shallow waters up to 200 feet deep,
 A wide distribution throughout the western Atlantic, ranging from
Massachusetts to southeastern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, the
Caribbean Sea, and Bermuda.(Gutierrez et al ., 2018)

21. Fig 1.7 Yellow Tail Snapper
https://www.floridasportsman.com/editorial/yellowtailsn
apper/395435

22. Mutton Snapper:
 Physical Characteristics:
 Have a reddish-brown to pinkish body with a prominent dark spot on their
sides below the dorsal fin.
 Have a streamlined shape ,pointed snout and large, powerful jaws.
 Can grow up to 30 inches in length and weigh over 20 pounds,
 Habitat and distribution:
 Found in reefs, rocky outcrops, and drop-offs, depths ranging from 30 to
300 feet.
 Distributed in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea. (Feeley et al .,
2018)

23. Fig1.8 Mutton Snapper
https://en.m.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutton-snapper

24. Conclusion
 Snapper fish stand out as prized species in the realm of seafood,
cherished for their delectable taste, firm texture, and vibrant colors.
Their streamlined bodies and sharp teeth reflect their predatory nature,
 Play a vital roles within marine ecosystems.
 Their popularity among anglers and consumers has led to concerns
regarding overfishing and habitat degradation, prompting the
implementation of management measures to ensure their long-term
sustainability.
 Despite these challenges, the allure of snapper fish persists, captivating
both culinary enthusiasts and conservationists alike with their culinary
excellence and ecological significance.

25. References
▪ Spanik, K. R., Smart, T. I., Reichert, M. J., & Darden, T. L. (2021).Using DNA barcoding to
improve taxonomic resolution of the diet of red snapper (Lutjanuscampechanus)along the
Atlanticcoast of the southeastern United States. Fishery Bulletin, 119.
▪ Rees, M. J., Knott, N. A., Hing, M. L., Hammond, M., Williams, J., Neilson, J., ... & Jordan, A.
(2021). Habitat and humans predict the distributionof juvenile and adult snapper(Sparidae:
Chrysophrys auratus)alongAustralia's most populatedcoastline. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf
Science, 257, 107397.
▪ Bacheler, N. M., Shertzer, K. W., Runde, B. J., Rudershausen, P. J., & Buckel, J. A. (2021).
Environmental conditions, diel period, and fish size influence the horizontaland vertical
movements of red snapper. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 9580.
▪ Taylor,B.m.,Wakefield,C.B.,Newman,S.J.,Chinkin,M.,&Meekan,M.G.(2021).Unprecedented
longevity of unharvested shallow-watersnappers in the Indian ocean .Coral Reefs,40(1),15-19
▪ Feeley,M.W.,Morley,D.,Acosta,A.,Barbera,P.,Hunt,J.,Switzer,T.,&Burton,M.(2018).Spwning
migration movements of MuttonSnapperin Tortugas,Florida:Spatialdynamics within a marine
reserve network Fisheries research,204,209-223.