Ocyurus

Ocyurus is a genus of ray-finned fishes in the snapper family, Lutjanidae. It is a monotypic genus, containing a single described species, Ocyurus chrysurus, commonly known as the yellowtail snapper.

Description: Ocyurus chrysurus has a slender, laterally compressed body with a silvery to greenish back and a pale belly. Its most distinctive feature is a bright yellow caudal fin, which gives the species its common name. Dorsal and anal fins may show yellow margins. Adults typically reach up to about 40 cm in length, though sizes vary.

Distribution and habitat: The species occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean, from southern Florida through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. It favors shallow to moderate-depth coastal habitats, including reefs, ledges, seagrass beds, and areas with mangroves. Juveniles often inhabit seagrass beds or shallow sheltered bays, while adults are found around reefs and rocky structures.

Biology: Ocyurus chrysurus is typically a schooling species, forming large aggregations especially around structure. It feeds on small fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Spawning occurs in tropical waters, with several reproductive cycles per year; eggs and early larval stages are pelagic. Juveniles reach maturity within a couple of years.

Importance and conservation: The yellowtail snapper is a valued species for commercial and recreational fisheries, prized for its firm white flesh. Management measures, including size limits and seasonal closures, are applied in many jurisdictions to sustain stocks. The species is widely distributed and not currently listed as endangered, though local populations can be affected by overfishing.