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Blackfin snook (Centropomus medius) — Centropomidae

Blackfin snook

Centropomus medius
Family: Centropomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackfin snook (Centropomus medius) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Centropomidae that grows up to 65 cm.

Length
65 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; bays, estuaries and fresh waters inland.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blackfin snook is a snook (Centropomidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body with a pointed head, a projecting lower jaw and a conspicuous dark lateral line. Adults live in bays and estuaries and penetrate fresh waters far inland. As a predator it ambushes fishes and crustaceans. It is a valued sport and food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackfin snook?

The Blackfin snook has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Protruding lower jaw and a dark lateral line; estuarine-freshwater ambush predator and sport fish.

Where does the Blackfin snook live?

The Blackfin snook lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; bays, estuaries and fresh waters inland.

How big does the Blackfin snook get?

The Blackfin snook grows to a maximum of about 65 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Blackfin snook dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackfin snook is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackfin snook edible?

Yes, the Blackfin snook is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blackfin snook (Centropomus medius) — Centropomidae — 2
Raredon, Sandra J. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Blackfin snook (Centropomus medius) — Centropomidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Marco Polo amarillas vargas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackfin snook (Centropomus medius) — Centropomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Blackfin snook (Centropomus medius) — Centropomidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) marcosmoreno, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackfin snook verified
Scientific name
Centropomus medius
Family
Centropomidae
Other names
Blackfin snook; Pacific blackfin verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65 verified
Average length (cm)
30 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Horizontal stripes
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Superior (upward)
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; bays, estuaries and fresh waters inland.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Protruding lower jaw and a dark lateral line; estuarine-freshwater ambush predator and sport fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Centropomus

More from the family Centropomidae

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