The Schoolmaster fish is a member of the snapper family,and belongs to the grey snapper family group.It's closest relative is the dog snapper.

The discription of the schoolmaster is that it has 39 to 44 scales in the lateral line as the dog fish has 45 to 49.

The schoolmaster lacks the whitish triangular area below the eye.

Also characteristic of the schoolmaster is the color,which is an orange yellow and reddish tinges about the head.Along the sides are about 8 pronounced vertical darkish bands seperated by narrower silvery bands.The fins are also yellow or tinged with orange.

In nature two color phases are apparent.One is a pale yellow,and the other a banded phase.

A specimen in the latter color change lightens very distinctly in shade when passing from a dark area to a light sand.

Schoolmasters grow to two feet and weigh 15 to 20 pounds.Fairly large fish weigh 7 to 8 pounds.

The distribution and habitat of the schoolmaster can be found in the western tropical Atlantic from Brazil to the West Indies and Florida,with the young scattered widely northward along the coast.

They have been recorded from Cape Cod in earl y September.The schoolmaster is found in the shore area along with the grey and dog snapper,but seems to prefer more open water and sandy bottoms near coral reefs.It also is found in fresh water sometimes long distances from brackish waters.

It's habits are schooling during the daytime but breaking up at night during feeding times.

The schoolmaster feeds principally on crabs,shrimp,and small fishes.

The technique for catching the schoolmaster is with hand lines as other snappers.

It is a favorite game fish because it bites readily and gives a vigourous fight.

Shrimp are generally the rule of thumb for catching the Schoolmaster.

It is a very good fish for table fair also.