Mutton Snapper

There has been an amazing site to behold here in the Keys! Mutton Snappers are spawing! Spawning occurs in July and August. Mutton snapper spawn at the same site and the same lunar calendar days, year after year. The number of eggs released is dependent upon the size of the female. After spawning, the adult fish will move offshore to deeper waters. You can find Large Mutton Snapper adults in or near offshore reef and rock rubble habitats, while the juveniles live in inshore areas. The juveniles are abundant in shallow waters such as tidal mangrove creeks, canals, and shallow protected bays, utilizing turtle grass as bottom cover. Once an adult mutton snapper becomes established in an area, they tend to remain there.