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Humpback snook (Centropomus unionensis) — Centropomidae

Humpback snook

Centropomus unionensis
Family: Centropomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Humpback snook (Centropomus unionensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Centropomidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The union snook is a snook (Centropomidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body with a conspicuous dark lateral line and a pointed, upward-pointing lower jaw. It lives in coastal waters, estuaries and mangroves and regularly enters the lower reaches of rivers. As a predator it hunts smaller fishes and crustaceans. It is a valued food and sport fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Humpback snook?

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

Where does the Humpback snook live?

The Humpback snook lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Humpback snook get?

The Humpback snook grows to a maximum of about 46 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Humpback snook dangerous to humans?

No, the Humpback snook is harmless to humans.

Is the Humpback snook edible?

Yes, the Humpback snook is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Union-snoek sourced
English name
Humpback snook verified
Scientific name
Centropomus unionensis
Family
Centropomidae
Other names
Humpback snook; Snook; Union snook verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud 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
Gevangen met hengel en met kustnetten in estuaria en mangroves. 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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