Description
Yelloweye-Silk Snappers can be identified by the yellow iris (Red Snapper have a red iris). They have a red body that’s slightly darker on top and have a thin yellow line running longitudinally along the body.
Dorsal spines (total): 10 – 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7 – 8. Preopercular notch and knob weak. Pectoral fins long reaching. Scale rows on back rising obliquely above lateral line. Back and upper sides pink to red, grading to pink with a silvery sheen ventrally; sides with very fine undulating yellow lines; the fins mostly reddish or pale yellow. Young specimens (under about 9 inches) with a blackish spot on upper side below anterior dorsal soft rays.
This tasty fish is found in the western Atlantic from Northern South America to North Carolina, the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean waters.
Size Facts
- Maturity: 15 inches
- Max length: 35 inches
- Common length: 15.68 inches
- max. published weight: 16 lbs
- max. reported age: 15 years
The Yelloweye-Silk Snapperr is also known in Brazil as Pargo Olho-de-vidro.
Where can the Yelloweye Snapper be found?
Yelloweye-Silk snapper is common in tropical areas offshore in deep water (209 – 984 feet/64 – 300 meters) over sandy, rocky and coral bottoms. Younger fish are more common in shallower waters. Silk snapper spawns throughout the year with seasonal peaks occurring in the spring and summer months depending on the location.
The Yellow-eye-silk snapper is a species of the Western Atlantic Ocean. It occurs from North Carolina and Bermuda south through the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico south as far as São Paulo, Brazil, including Trinidade Island. It is found at depths from 9 to 450 m (30 to 1,476 ft).[1] The silk snapper occurs on the edge of continental and island shelves over substrates of sand, gravel, and coral. The juveniles inhabit shallower waters than the adults.
How does the Yelloweye Snapper look like?
The yelloweye-silk snapper has a moderately deep body with quite a sharp snout, [5] the body has an oblong shape and is laterally compressed. The front and rear nostrils are simple holes. It has a large mouth with an upper jaw which can be protruded, this slips under the cheek bone when the mouth is closed. It has 1-2 rows of conical teeth on each jaw,[6] the front teeth being enlarged into canines.[5] the vomerine teeth are arranged in an anchor shaped patch with a rearwards extension on middle of the roof of the mouth, there is a patch of teeth on each side of the roof of the mouth.[6] There is a deep incision on the lower margin of the preoperculum. The dorsal fin is continuous and has no incision.[5] The dorsal fin has 10-11 spines and 13-14 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 7-8 soft rays.[2] Both these fins are scaled. The pectoral fins are elongate, roughly equal in length to the head in adults. The caudal fin is emarginate.
The overall colour is red to pinkish-red, paler on the abdomen. Some individuals are marked with very thin wavy yellow lines on the flank. A feature differentiating this species from similar sympatric congeners is the vivid yellow iris. The fins are reddish although the anal and dorsal fins are tinted with yellow. The caudal fin has a dark margin and the pectoral fins are light yellow pectoral fins. The Juveniles have a black or red spot on the upper flanks just underneath the origin of the dorsal fin.
This fish is a rosy pink to red color on its sides and back, fading to a pinkish silvery color below. Its sides have faint wavy yellow lines. The fins are a pink to yellowish color; the tail fin has a dark reddish, black margin along the edge. At first glance, this fish may be mistaken for a red snapper but the silk snapper has a bright yellow eye and the anal fin is pointed.
How does the Yelloweye Snapper behave?
The silk snapper spends the day in deeper waters, ascending the water column at night to hunt. They are mainly predators of fish but also prey on crabs, isopods, octopus, and shrimp. This species has a maximum longevity as much as 33 years.[7] They spawn over much of the year in lower latitudes, but are spring and summer spawners in the more temperate parts of their range. This species attains sexual maturity in males at 15 inches and 20 inches in females off Puerto Rico.
Health benefits
Yelloweye-Silk Snapper contains moderate levels of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as significant amounts of vitamin D, E, selenium, and magnesium. A six-ounce serving of this fish also delivers about 170 calories and more than 35 grams of protein. This fish also contains a good amount of potassium.
There are quite a few benefits to eating red snapper, including its ability to aid in weight control and lower your risk of heart disease, among others:
- May aid in weight management, due to high protein density
- May prevent heart disease thanks to the omega-3 fatty acids
- May lower the risk of megaloblastic anemia
- May lead to antioxidant activity can lead to a lower risk of oxidative stress
- May support thyroid health
- May increase the number of white blood cells produced by the body
- May decrease the chances of macular degeneration and the development of cataracts
- May strengthen bone mineral density and prevents osteoporosis
- May lower blood pressure and risk for atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and strokes
- May stimulate cognitive function and boosts the health of the nervous system
Taste profile
Silk snapper has a pinkish meat that is lean, moist and sweet with a mild although distinctive flavor.
The Silk Snapper feeds on crabs, shrimp and other fish and has a firm texture and a sweet nutty flavor.
Yelloweye Snapper Videos
Nutritional facts
- Serving size: 5.85 oz
- Calories: 109 kcal
- Protein: 22.4 g
- Total Fat: 1.5 g
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