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Diadromous Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Tropical

Black snook

Centropomus nigrescens Günther, 1864
Max Length
123 cm
Max Weight
26.2 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.2
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
51.00/100
Typical Length
45 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Adults enter mangrove areas and lagoons. Also occur in estuaries and fresh water , as well as rustic ponds .

Scientific Name
Centropomus nigrescens
Authority
Günther, 1864
Habitat
Diadromous
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
123 cm
Max Weight
26.2 kg
Latitude
6°S – 29°N
Trophic Level
4.2
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
51.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Body slender and not very deep; dorsal profile slightly concave behind the eyes; lateral line extending to posterior edge of caudal fin; second anal spine, when folded down, well removed from origin of caudal fin; pectoral and pelvic fins sub-equal; anal fin with 6 rays; back blue gray; belly white; lateral line very dark; fins charcoal gray .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Black snook is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal. Tropical; 29°N - 6°S, 113°W - 76°W

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4.2±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00741 × L3.02 (TL)
Max TL
123cm
Max Weight
26,200g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
51.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.2
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
29°N – 6°S
Described By
Günther, 1864

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Black snook is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Black snook is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Black snook has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Black Robalo · Pacific Black Snook · Snook · black snook
🌍CES robalo mangrovový
🇩🇰Danish Sort snook
🇵🇹Portuguese Robalo-negro
🇷🇺Russian Тёмный робало
🇪🇸Spanish Róbalo Negro · Róbalo Redondo · robalo prieto

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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