Vermilion Snapper
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Also known as Snapper, Beeliner, Clubhead snapper, Night snapper, Besugo, Rubia
Culinary Profile
Mild and sweet.
Medium-firm texture with medium flakes.
Vermilion snapper is low in saturated fat and sodium and is a very good source of protein.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Vermilion snapper have streamlined bodies. They are pale to silvery white below and vermilion (orange-red) above. They have narrow, yellow-gold streaks (some horizontal and others diagonal) below the lateral line. Their back (dorsal) fin is rose-colored with a yellow edge, and the tail (caudal) fin is red with a faint black edge.
Biology
Vermilion snapper grow slowly, up to 2 feet long and 7 pounds. They can live to at least 15 years. Vermilion snapper are able to reproduce when they’re young, between 1 and 2 years old. They spawn multiple times from April to September, but most often from June to August.
Where They Live
Range Vermilion snapper are found in the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to southeastern Brazil, including the West Indies, Gulf of America, and Caribeean Sea. Habitat Vermilion snapper are found in waters 60 to 400 feet deep, but are most abundant in water less than 180 feet deep.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round, with peaks from August through November.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from North Carolina to Texas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of vermilion snapper in the Gulf of America and South Atlantic totaled 1.8 million pounds and were valued at $7.2 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . More than a third of these landings were harvested off the west coast of Florida. Vermilion snapper is one of the most frequently caught snappers along the southeastern coast. Seasonal closure in federal waters of the U.S. Caribbean and in territorial waters of St. Thomas/St. John from October through December. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: In all regions, commercial fishermen primarily use vertical hook-and-line gear (handline and bandit gear) to catch vermilion snapper.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 54 Species
Where Vermilion Snapper ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | 10.2 IU | 11 / 54 | 80% |
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Protein | 20.51 g | 22 / 111 | 80% |
| Selenium | 38.2 µg | 26 / 106 | 75% |
| Vitamin B12 | 3 µg | 30 / 106 | 72% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 260 mg | 46 / 104 | 56% |
| Phosphorus | 198 mg | 70 / 111 | 37% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 51 mg | 79 / 104 | 24% |
| Zinc | 0.36 mg | 96 / 111 | 14% |
| Iron | 0.18 mg | 98 / 111 | 12% |
Other Southeast Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Vermilion Snapper.
Blacknose Shark
Carcharhinus acronotus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Caribbean Spiny Lobster
Panulirus argus
Mild and sweet.
Gag Grouper
Mycteroperca microlepis
Mild but distinct flavor, somewhere between bass and halibut.
Gray Triggerfish
Balistes capriscus
The meat of gray triggerfish is uniquely sweet. It tastes more like crab than fish.
King Mackerel
Scomberomorus cavalla
King mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark, strong-tasting meat a…
Queen Conch
Aliger gigas
Conch has a sweet, slightly smoky flavor, similar to abalone or clam. Fresh, farmed conch is sweeter and more tender tha…
Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanus
Red snapper has a sweetly mild but distinctive flavor.
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
Spanish mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark, strong-tasting mea…
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Vermilion Snapper, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
What else is Vermilion Snapper called?
Vermilion Snapper is also marketed as Snapper, Beeliner, Clubhead snapper, Night snapper, Besugo, Rubia.
How should Vermilion Snapper be cooked?
Vermilion Snapper has Medium-firm texture with medium flakes. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
What is the stock status of Vermilion Snapper?
The South Atlantic and Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico) stocks are not overfished.
How deep does Vermilion Snapper live?
Vermilion Snapper inhabits depths of 60 to 400 feet. Range Vermilion snapper are found in the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to southeastern Brazil, including the West Indies, Gulf of America, and Caribeean Sea.
How much Vermilion Snapper is caught commercially?
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of vermilion snapper in the Gulf of America and South Atlantic totaled 1.8 million pounds and were valued at $7.2 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . More than a third of these landings were harvested off the west coast of Florida. Vermilion snapper is one of the most frequently caught snappers along the southeastern coast.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught vermilion snapper is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are five stocks of vermilion snapper: South Atlantic, Gulf of America, and three stocks contained in the Puerto Rico Snapper 1 Complex, the St. Croix Snapper 1 Complex, and the St. Thomas/St. John Snapper 1 Complex. According to the most recent stock assessments: The South Atlantic stock is not overfished (2018), and is not subject to overfishing based on 2023 catch data.…
Population
The South Atlantic and Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico) stocks are not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Most vermilion snapper are caught using hook-and-line gear, which has minimal impact on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries , the South Atlantic , Gulf , and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, and the governments of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, manage the vermilion snapper fishery. In the South Atlantic, managed under the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan : Commercial fishermen must have a permit to harvest vermilion snapper.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.