It is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, where it inhabits environments associated with reefs.

[2] The northern red snapper was first formally described in 1860 as Mesoprion campechanus by the Cuban zoologist Felipe Poey with the type locality given as Campeche in Mexico.

All feature a sloped profile, medium-to-large scales, a spiny dorsal fin, and a laterally compressed body.

The maximum published weight is 50 lb, 4 oz (22.79 kg)[5] and the oldest reported age is 57+ years.

Juvenile fish (shorter than 30–35 cm) can also have a dark spot on their sides, below the anterior soft dorsal rays, which fades with age.

Around artificial reefs such as oil platforms, smaller fish spend time in the upper part of the water column while more mature (and larger) adults live in deeper areas.

Diaz[9] reported weight vs. length data for L. campechanus for the National Marine Fisheries Service (US).

[7] When they are newly spawned, red snapper settle over large areas of open benthic habitat(s).

[15] When northern red snapper bite on a line, they tend to be nibblers and pickers, and a soft touch is needed when trying to catch them.

[16] Because the older red snapper like structure, anglers use bottom fishing over reefs, wrecks, and oil rigs, and use line and supplies in the 50-lb class.

[17] Interest in recreational fishing for northern red snapper, and in the Gulf of Mexico in general, has increased dramatically.

[1] Since 1990, the total catch limit for northern red snapper has been divided into 49% for recreational fishermen and 51% for commercial.

[18] Researchers estimate the bycatch of young red snapper, especially by shrimp trawlers, is a significant concern.

Genetic studies have shown many fish sold as red snapper in the US are not actually L. campechanus, but other species in the family.

[21] Artificial reefs off the coast of Alabama have proven to be a favorite habitat of red snapper two years old and older.

Gallaway et al. (2009) analyzed several studies and concluded, in 1992, 70 – 80% of the age two red snapper in that area were living around offshore oil platforms.