Species sheet · The Edible Ocean
Yellowtail snapper
A bright yellow tail and a pink-striped body.
- Grilled whole
- Pan-fried fillets in butter
- Ceviche
- In French
- Vivaneau queue jaune
- Scientific name
- Ocyurus chrysurus
- In the water
- A reef fish of the tropical western Atlantic, from 0 to 180 m, near reefs and sandy bottoms.
- Season & buying
- Available year-round; arrivals are more abundant in warm months.
- Common length
- ~40 cm
- How to identify it
- Bright yellow median fins
Horizontal pink and yellow stripes
Deeply forked tail
On the plate
Mild, flaky white flesh with a clean taste.
Avoid: Strong spices that mask its delicate flavour.
Yellowtail snapper often swim in schools and are a favourite target of reef anglers in the Caribbean.
In Umay recipes
One Umay recipe calls for it.
