Home · Centropomidae · Blackfin snook
Blackfin snook (Centropomus pectinatus) — Centropomidae

Blackfin snook

Centropomus pectinatus
Family: Centropomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackfin snook (Centropomus pectinatus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Centropomidae that grows up to 56 cm.

Length
56 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The tarpon snook is a snook (Centropomidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has an elongate, silvery body with a pointed head, a projecting lower jaw and a conspicuous dark lateral line. It inhabits coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons and penetrates far into fresh water, where it prefers very low salinities. 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.

Where does the Blackfin snook live?

The Blackfin snook lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blackfin snook get?

The Blackfin snook grows to a maximum of about 56 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Blackfin snook dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackfin snook is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackfin snook edible?

Yes, the Blackfin snook is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tarpon-snoek sourced
English name
Blackfin snook verified
Scientific name
Centropomus pectinatus
Family
Centropomidae
Other names
Comb-tooth snook; Culan snook; Robalito de las aletas prietas; Tarpon snook; Tarpon Snook verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Centropomus

More from the family Centropomidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →