Red Snapper vs Summer Flounder
Lutjanus campechanus compared with Paralichthys dentatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Red Snapper | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lutjanus campechanus | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Order | Perciformes | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family | Lutjanidae | Paralichthyidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Red Snapper | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 100.0 cm | 94.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 22.8 kg | 12.0 kg |
| Color | Uniform rosy-red to brick-red over the entire body and fins; belly slightly paler pink-red; juveniles may show a dark spot at the lateral line below the anterior dorsal fin. | Eyed side is brownish to gray-green with a mottled pattern of pale blotches; 12–14 distinct pale-edged dark ocelli (eyespots) scattered across the body; blind side is plain white; color changes with substrate. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Red Snapper | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 10-190m | 10-183m |
| Geographic Range | Western North Atlantic from North Carolina to Yucatan, concentrated in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Associates with rocky reefs, artificial structures, and hard-bottom habitat … | Western North Atlantic from Nova Scotia south to Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Undertakes seasonal offshore migration to deeper Continental Shelf waters in … |
| Habitat | Neritic, coral reefs | Neritic, demersal, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Red Snapper | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 6/10 | 4/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Red Snapper
Moist, sweet white flesh with a nutty undertone and firm texture. Prized for whole roasting, pan-searing, and ceviche; a cornerstone of Gulf Coast and Caribbean cuisines.
Summer Flounder
Thin, delicate white fillets with a sweet, mild flavor and very low fat. Prized on the U.S. East Coast; superb pan-fried in butter, stuffed and baked, or prepared as ceviche.
Species Overview
Red Snapper
The red snapper is one of the most commercially valuable reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. With its distinctive rose-red body and pointed anal fin, it inhabits rocky reefs and artificial structures at depths of 10-190 meters.
Summer Flounder
The summer flounder, or fluke, is a flatfish that lies camouflaged on the ocean floor. Born with eyes on both sides, one eye migrates to the left side during development. An ambush predator, it explodes upward to grab passing prey.