Black snapper (Apsilus dentatus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis · Family: Lutjanidae · Genus: Apsilus.

Accepted name: Apsilus dentatus · Authority: Guichenot, 1853 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 277617.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Mesoprion arnillo Poey, 1860; Tropidinius dentatus (Guichenot, 1853).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=277617 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Apsilus dentatus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 65 cm · Common length: 40 cm · Depth range: 40–300 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 28.1 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit mainly rocky bottoms. Young sometimes found near the surface. Feed on fishes and benthic organisms, including cephalopods and tunicates. Flesh of good quality; marketed fresh and frozen.

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 85) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Apsilus-dentatus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

59 georeferenced occurrence records for Apsilus dentatus are published through GBIF from 16 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 31 distinct locations from a sample of 59 records, omitting 2 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Colombia (9); Belize (8); Cuba (8); Mexico (7); Bahamas (5); Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (4); Guadeloupe (3); Cayman Islands (3); Martinique (3); Honduras (2); Jamaica (2); Dominican Republic (1); Guatemala (1); Haiti (1); Puerto Rico (1).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Gulf of Mexico.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5209891) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5209891&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=277617 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Apsilus dentatus Guichenot, 1853 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 155126) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/155126/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 5209891) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5209891/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Apsilus dentatus has an elongated, oval shaped body. The intraorbital area is convex and the upper jaw can be protruded to a moderate extent, slipping under the cheek bone for much of its length when the mouth is closed. The jaws have distinct canine-like teeth with an inner band of simple teeth and an outer band of conical teeth. There are small conical teeth on the front and sides of the palate, as well as a central tooth triangular or v-shaped patch.

The preoperculum is serrated. The dorsal fin is continuous with not incision between the spined and soft-rayed portions. The bases of the dorsal and anal fin are scaleless, the dorsal fin contains 10 spines and 9-10 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The colour of this species are that the back and upper flanks are violet or dark brown, deeper on head with the lower flanks and the abdomen being paler.

The juveniles have a bright blue body, a black margined bronze iris, dark fins with the caudal fin having a pale rear margin, here may be some blue on the fins. The maximum total length attained by this species is 65 cm, although 40 cm is more typical, while the maximum published weight is 3.2 kg.

Distribution

Apsilus dentatus is present throughout the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. They are found from the Florida Keys and the Bahamas south through the West Indies to the islands off Venezuela and Belize. In the Gulf of Mexico they have been recorded from the Flower Garden Banks. They are thought to be more widely distributed than this.

Habitat and biology

Apsilus dentatus is found at depths between 12 and 300 m, typically deeper than 40 m, although young fish have been found near the surface. It prefers rocky substrates. It is a predatory species which eats fishes and benthic invertebrates, including cephalopods and tunicates. Spawning takes place nearly year round, peaking in the period February to April, in September and October and, off Jamaica, in November.

Systematics and etymology

Apsilus dentatus was first formally described in 1853 by the French zoologist Alphonse Guichenot with the type locality given as Havana. The specific name dentatus means "toothed" and refers to the obvious upper front jaw canine teeth.

Utilisation

Apsilus dentatus is of limited interest to fisheries, although the flesh has been described as being of good quality. The only part of their range where they are regular in markets is on Cuba, usually sold fresh, although freezing is nor unknown. They are caught using handlines. They have been a source of ciguatera poisoning in humans following consumption.

Source: Wikipedia: Apsilus dentatus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apsilus_dentatus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.