Color grayish-olive with a reddish tinge; conspicuous dark spot. about the size of the eye, below the soft dorsal fin, 1/4 to 1/2 of it below the lateral line; the large eye and caudal fin are bright red; lower margine of the preopercle has a prominent spur with strong and sharp serrations.

NEARSHORE or OFFSHORE in clear, highly saline water; usually over reefs.

Relatively small snapper; common to 15 inches.

The Spanish name, ojanco, refers to its large eyes; a night feeder, with a diet of smaller fish.