Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Ocyurus chrysurus · Authority: (Bloch, 1791) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 159803.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Anthias rabirrubia Bloch & Schneider, 1801; Lutjanus chrysurus (Bloch, 1791); Lutjanus melanurus Jordan & Gilbert, 1883; Mesoprion aurovittatus Agassiz, 1831; Mesoprion chrysurus (Bloch, 1791); Ocyurus aurovittatus (Agassiz, 1831); Ocyurus chysurus (Bloch, 1791); Ocyurus rijgersmaei Cope, 1871; Sparus chrysurus Bloch, 1791; Sparus semiluna Lacepède, 1802.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=159803 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 86.30000305175781 cm · Common length: 40 cm · Depth range: 0–180 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 38.3 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: public aquariums.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit coastal waters, mostly around coral reefs. Usually seen well above the bottom, frequently in aggregations. They feed on a combination of plankton and benthic animals including fishes, crustaceans, worms, gastropods and cephalopods, mainly at night (Ref. 9987). Young individuals are usually found over weed beds. They feed primarily on plankton (Ref. 9710). Spawning occurs throughout the year, with peaks at different times in different areas (Ref. 26938). Marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 9987). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35420).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 188) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Ocyurus-chrysurus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

98,870 georeferenced occurrence records for Ocyurus chrysurus are published through GBIF from 44 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 166 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 35 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: United States of America (73,874); Puerto Rico (13,682); Brazil (5,538); Virgin Islands (U.S.) (1,328); Mexico (1,090).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2385282) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2385282&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=159803 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Ocyurus chrysurus (Bloch, 1791) as Data Deficient (code DD). 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 194341) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/194341/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2385282) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2385282/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

In certain reefs, most notably in the Florida Keys, this beautifully colored fish is commonly spotted among divers and snorkelers.

The yellowtail snapper was first formally described in 1791 as Sparus chrysurus by the German physician and naturalist Marcus Elieser Bloch with the type locality given as "Brazilian seas".

It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Ocyurus, the name of which is derived from the Greek words okys, meaning "swift", as in the bird, and oura, meaning "tail", a reference to the tail being forked like that of a swift. Chrysurus is derived from the Greek word chryso, meaning "golden".

A taxonomic study of snappers within the subfamily Lutjaninae in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean indicated that the at monotypic genera Ocyurus and Rhomboplites sit within the genus Lutjanus. Lutjanus ambiguus is considered by some authorities to most likely to be a hybrid between L. synagris and O. chrysurus, supporting the close relation between the two genera.

Yellowtail snapper have a distinct yellow lateral band beginning at the snout that gets wider towards the forked tail, which is completely yellow. The rest of the fish is an olive to bluish black color with yellow spots above the lateral band. The dorsal fin is yellow while the anal and pelvic fins are whitish.

The species has one dorsal fin and one anal fin, which are partially supported by bony spines. The dorsal fin consists of ten spines and between twelve and fourteen soft rays, while the anal fin has three spines and eight or nine soft rays. Scales are found on the bases of the soft portions of the dorsal and anal fins. The pectoral fin is long, and its tip reaches the level of the vent.

In contrast to other snapper species, the head and mouth of Ocyurus chrysurus are small and the species does not have a dark lateral spot below its dorsal fin. Like other snappers, canine teeth are present in the upper jaw of O. chrysurus. Most teeth in the upper and lower jaws are villiform, however. A distinctive characteristic is the presence of teeth on the ectopterygoid bones.

Yellowtail snapper are native to the Western Atlantic Ocean. Though their range extends as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as southeastern Brazil, the species is most common in the Bahamas, off the coast of south Florida and throughout the Caribbean.

Natural predators of adult yellowtail snapper include large fishes such as barracuda, mackerel, grouper, sharks, and even other snapper species. Yellowtails feed on shrimp, crabs, worms, and smaller fish. They spawn in groups off the edges of reefs from spring to fall, but heavily in midsummer.

Yellowtail snapper are typically caught in 30–120 ft of water on and around reefs and other structures. The most common method of catching them is with hook and line, and the use of frozen chum, typically leftover ground fish parts, to attract the fish. The chum is placed into a mesh bag or metal basket in the water, and as the chum slowly melts, small pieces of fish drift out and down towards the bottom, where the yellowtails typically feed. The chum keeps them near the boat for extended periods of time, as well.

Light tackle is the generally accepted means of catching yellowtail snapper. Typically, the fish are relatively wary of higher-test or thicker line, and larger hooks. Most fish caught by anglers range from eight to 14 in, although catches to 16 in are not uncommon. Larger fish are often called "flags" in the United States, as their tails resemble flags fluttering in the wind. Yellowtail snapper can be caught on a variety of baits, including both live and frozen shrimp, squid, and a variety of live and frozen minnows or smaller baitfish. Yellowtail tend to be wary fish, and the appearance of larger predators, such as dolphins or sharks, can scare off schools until the predator leaves the area.

Most anglers pursue yellowtail snapper during the warmer months, but they can be caught throughout the year. Yellowtail snapper is highly prized for its light, flaky meat and is considered by some to be one of the best of the snapper family.

Normally, yellowtail are caught and sold to eat, especially in American cuisine.

Source: Wikipedia: Yellowtail snapper — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowtail_snapper (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.