Glasseye Snapper, Heteropriacantus cruentatus

Glasseye Snapper, Heteropriacanthus cruentatus, Juvenile. Fish caught from coastal waters off Long Island, New York, August 2023. Length: 11 cm (4.3 inches). Catch, photograph and identification courtesy of Aidan Perkins, Long Island, New York.

The Glasseye Snapper, Heteropriacanthus cruentatus, is a member of the Bigeye or Pricanthidae Family. They are also known as the Atlantic Glasseye and in Mexico as catalufa de roca and catalufa roquera. Globally, there are three species in the genus Heteropriacanthus, with one being found in Mexican waters of the Atlantic Ocean and one, this species, in Mexican waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The Glasseye Snapper is named for their large eyes and are characterized by a strong, compressed, and elongated body that has a depth that is 33 to 37% of standard length. The adults are uniform pinkish red color; this includes the fins and the iris of the eyes. The anal fin, caudal fin and second dorsal fin have elliptical dark specks. Their head profiles are symmetrical with a large, upturned mouth and a projecting lower jaw. Their anal fin has 3 spines and 13 or 14 rays; their caudal fin is slightly rounded; their dorsal fin has 10 spines and 12 or 13 rays; their pectoral fins have 18 or 19 rays; and, their pelvic fins are short and broadly fused to the belly. They are covered with large scales. Their lateral line is prominent. They have 21 to 25 gill rakers.

The Glasseye Snapper is found over and within rocky bottoms and shallow reefs at depths up to 430 m (1,410 feet). They reach a maximum of 51 cm (20 inches) in length and 2.7 kg (5 lbs 15 oz). During the day they are found as single individuals and at night in small groups. They are reported to be nocturnal feeders on crabs, small fish, octopi, pelagic shrimp, polychaetes and stomatopods. The juveniles are pelagic. The Glasseye Snapper is poorly studied with very limited information available about their lifestyle and behavioral patterns including specific details on age, growth, longevity, movement patterns, diet, habitat use, and reproduction.

The Glasseye Snapper can be confused with the Atlantic Bigeye, Priacanthus arenatus (concave caudal fin) and the Short Bigeye, Pristigenys alta (oval body). They are virtually identical to the Indio-Pacific Glasseye Snapper or Pacific Glasseye Snapper, Heteropricanthus cruentatus, from the Pacific Ocean, which has recently become a standalone species.

The Glasseye Snapper is a resident of all Mexican waters of the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean.

From a conservation perspective the Glasseye Snapper is currently considered to be of Least Concern with widely distributed populations. They are sold commercially as a human food but are reported to contain ciguatera toxin. They are utilized by the aquarium trade at a nominal level.