Description: Color pinkish red over entire body, whitish below; long triangular sbout; anal fin sharply pointer; no dark lateral spot.

Similar fish: Vermilion snapper; R. aurorubens.

Where found: Offshore on the continental shelf, more plentiful off the Panhandle than in south or middle Florida.

Size: To 20 pounds.

Remarks: Juveniles occur over sandy of mud bottons and are often taken in shrimp trawls; adults may live more than 20 years, and attain 35 pounds or more; sexual maturity attained at age 2; spawns June to October; feeds on crustaceans and fish.