Snapper | Māori name tāmure
These fish have large mouths and sharp canine teeth, hence the name Snapper! They make for great eating with their soft white meat with very few bones. Snapper are usually a reddish brown on top and a silvery white on the bottom, but depending on where they live the colour changes slightly. They are easily recognised by the spiky long pectoral and dorsal fin. Pale brown snapper are found in deep muddy waters and dark brown snapper are found close inshore or on reefs. Young snapper have silvery blue dots on their body; as they get older the spots fade away.
Snapper are bottom-feeders and live mostly in waters ranging from 5 to 50 metres but are often seen in waters up to 200 metres deep. Snapper like to stay close to reefs or weed to enable them to dart for shelter if attacked by a predator.
Snapper are known to live to about 60 years and could grow to about 17 kg or 105 cm. From birth they take about 3 to 5 years to reach about 25 to 30 cm, where they become sexually mature. They spawn from October to February when the water temperature is right and usually return to the same breeding grounds each year.
FEEDING AND BREEDING
Snapper are carnivorous fish and feed on sea worms and small crustaceans found in the ocean. Big snapper eat fish and larger, harder-bodied animals such as sea eggs (kina), crabs and shellfish. Snapper are known for their adaptability — if one prey gets scarce they can alter their eating habits.
Snapper spawn over several weeks when the water temperature is warm enough (usually above 18 degrees Celsius). The eggs hatch in a couple of days. All snapper are born female, until they attain the age of puberty where nature dictates and changes some to males. During years 3 and 4 of their lives about half undergo a sex change (hermaphroditic stage) to become males.
ON THE ROCK
If you're lucky enough to catch a 'keeper' on The Rock, our crew will prepare and cook it for you and your fellow guests to share — smoked, baked, ceviche, sashimi. The taste of really fresh fish is absolutely sublime.