Snapper

Lutjanidae family

Blue sketch illustration of Snapper
Kosher
Has fins and scales
Fins Yes
Scales Yes
Description

Snapper is a popular mild, lean white fish that's good grilled, baked, pan-seared, or steamed whole, and the skin crisps nicely. Most of the roughly 110-plus species in the family are eaten.

Snappers (family Lutjanidae) live in tropical and warm-temperate oceans worldwide, mostly around coral reefs down to about 100 meters, with some species deeper. Many different species get the local name 'red snapper.'

Also known as

  • Red Snapper
  • Yellowtail Snapper
  • Mutton Snapper
  • Mangrove Snapper
  • Pargo
  • Huachinango

Gallery

Warnings & Kosher Issues
  • Kosher. Snappers have fins and scales.
  • 'Red snapper' is one of the most mislabeled names at market and is applied to species across several genera, so the fish on the label may not be the species named.
  • Some large reef snappers (for example the schoolmaster) have been linked to ciguatera poisoning.