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Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) — Centropomidae

Common snook

Centropomus undecimalis
Family: Centropomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Centropomidae that grows up to 140 cm.

Length
140 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0–22.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a large predator of the family Centropomidae from coastal waters of the western Atlantic. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with a conspicuous black lateral line and a protruding lower jaw, and can reach about 1.4 metres. Adults live in coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons and penetrate far into fresh water, usually shallower than 20 metres. They prey on fishes and crustaceans such as shrimps and crabs. Adults congregate at passes to spawn. The snook is a highly prized sport and food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common snook?

The Common snook has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Common snook live?

The Common snook lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Common snook get?

The Common snook grows to a maximum of about 140 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Common snook dangerous to humans?

No, the Common snook is harmless to humans.

Is the Common snook edible?

Yes, the Common snook is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Binnensnoek sourced
English name
Common snook verified
Scientific name
Centropomus undecimalis
Family
Centropomidae
Other names
Common snook verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
140.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 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
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
22.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met levend aas (garnaal of visje) of kunstaas rond mangroven, pieren en zeegaten; bekend om felle, krachtige drillen. sourced
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

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