Descriptions: color olive gray on upper sides with yellow tinge, sometimes with reddish tinge aroundhead; long triangular snout; eight pale vertical barson the side of the body; yellow fins; blue stripe below eye, becoming interrupted in adults; no dark lateral spot.

Similar fish: dog snapper, L. jocu; other snappers.

Where found: juveniles in grass flats; adults

NEARSHORE especially around elkhorn coral reefs; large adults sometimes found on continental shelf.

Size: usually less than 1 pound.

Remarks: spawns July and August; attain sizes of 8 pounds and 24 inches; slow grower; feeds on crustaceans, small fishes, and gastropods.