Dog Snapper
Scientific name: Lutjanus jocu
Appearance:
The dog snapper is brown with a tint of bronze, and is lighter-colored on its sides. The fish has a set of very sharp canine teeth, with one pair enlarged and visible even when the mouth is closed. An adult dog snapper has a pale triangle and a blue-tinged row of spots below the eyes.
Habitat:
Adult dog snappers are common offshore among coral and rocky reefs, while the young often inhabit estuaries and have been known to go inshore and into the rivers. The dog snapper is one of the only lutjanids to inhabit freshwaters. These fish are solitary and wary, and would often stay in the secluded areas of the reef.
Florida locations:
These fish are rare north of Florida.