Similar Fish: vermilion snapper, R. aurorubens.
Where found: OFFSHORE on the continental shelf, more
plentiful off the panhandle than in south or middle Florida.
Size: to 20 pounds.
*Florida Record: 46 lbs., 8 ozs.
Remarks: juveniles occur over sandy or mud bottoms
and are often taken in shrimp trawls; adults may live more
than 20 years, and attain 35 pounds or more; sexual maturity
attained at age 2; spawns June to October; feeds on
crustaceans and fish.