Image credit: Ross Robertson - Contact

Rhomboplites aurorubens

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Life History Parameters Value
Maximum weight (kg) 3
Maximum age (year) 26
Age at length 0 (year) -0.795
Age at Maturity (months) 24
Maximum Length (cm) 63
Length at Maturity (cm) 14
Linf. Asymptotic Length (cm) 34.4
K - von Bertalanffy growth coefficient 0.33
Natural Mortality 0.25


Spawning Season (Peak month in bold):
- - - Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep - - -

Habitat and Distribution

This species is found over hard bottoms and sandy habitats from North Carolina to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Spawning season in the Gulf of Mexico

The spawning season for this species in the GOM is from April to September, with peak spawning occurring from June to August.

Spawning Patterns

Vermilion Snapper is thought to spawn in a manner similar to Red Snapper, since the two species co-occur throughout the Gulf of Mexico, but its spawning behavior is poorly studied. Adults form schools of tens to a few thousand fish at coastal and offshore habitats (natural and artificial reefs, oil platforms, etc) throughout the year and spawn within these schools rather than concentrating spawning at a few, highly populated sites. Spawning is widely distributed over a large number of sites along the edge of the continental shelf or just inshored of the edge. Vermilion snapper in spawning condition are frequently caught at multi-species spawning areas that include Red Snapper, White Grunt, Black Sea Bass, Gray Triggerfish, and Scamp. Therefore, Vermilion Snapper may best be described as resident aggregation spawners as there is no evidence that coordinated migrations to specific spawning sites occurs. There is also no information to suggest that densities at spawning sites are significantly higher than non-spawning sites. Therefore, it is also reasonable to categorize this species as a simple migratory species rather than an aggregation spawner. There is no evidence of a lunar spawning cycle, as Vernilion Snapper in spawning condition are collected continuously throughout their spawning season during all moons. Vermilion Snapper are broadcast spawners with external fertilization.

Fishing Patterns in Relation to Spawning

Commercial landings are consistently greater during spawning months than non-spawning months and peak in May and Augusts. Recreational landings have been consistently greater during spawning months than non-spawning months and peak during the period of April through August.

Management of Spawning Aggregations

There are no commercial catch limits for Vermilion Snapper in federal or state waters. Net and spearing gear are prohibited in federal waters for the commercial fishery. The recreational fishery in federal waters is subject to a daily catch limit of 10 that must within a total catch limit of 10 similar reef fishes. In state waters, the catch limits are the same as the federal limit or less restrictive, excpet for Texas which does not set a limit. There are no commercial or recreational seasonal closures for the fishery. Madison Swanson, Steamboat Lumps and the Edges are closed year round. The minimum size is 10" TL for commercial and recreational.

Research and Management Priorities