There is something particularly challenging about a species description that starts "Often no distinguishing features; identification can be by process of elimination." (Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, and Bahamas, by Paul Humann and Ned Deloach) This is how the gray snapper is described. They aren't even always gray, varying from pale to dark gray to reddish brown. Occasionally a dark band runs diagonally through the eye.
It is not uncommon for fish species to display various color phases, and sometimes we are fortunate to watch the fish change from one phase into another. However, it can be difficult to remember all the color phases of all the species.
These photos are some of the gray snapper that I encountered today (with and without the eye band). They were about 16 to 18 inches long.
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