Common snook
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons, penetrating into freshwater; usually at depths less than 20 m . Also found in mangrove areas . Feed on fishes (Gobiidae, Gerreidae, Engraulidae) and crustaceans (shrimps and crabs) . Mature individuals congregate at mouths of passes and rivers during the spawning season, May through September . Seasonal movements into freshwater occur but poorly understood . Marketed fresh . Valued game fish and an excellent food fish . The world record for hook and line is a 53-lb., 10 ounce fish caught at Parismina Ranch, Costa Rica .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6. 67- to 72 pored scales on lateral line to base of caudal fin . Black lateral line .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Common snook is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Also Ref. 103751.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous ; depth range ? - 22 m . Tropical; 25°C - 31°C ; 33°N - 35°S, 98°W - 33°W Central and South America extending southward to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; also North Carolina and Texas, USA (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
fishes (Gobiidae, Gerreidae, Engraulidae) and crustaceans (shrimps and crabs) (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Common snook is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 139 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Common snook has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🏆 World Records
| Record Type | Value | Angler | Location | Date | Line Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 24.32 kg | George Perry | Corcovado River, Costa Rica | 18 Oct 1978 | ALL |
Source: IGFA All-Tackle World Records database
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Common snook · Sergeant Fish · snook |
| 🌍CES | robalo jednopruhý |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Almindelig snook |
| 🇩🇪German | Gewöhnlicher Snook |
| 🇫🇷French | Brochet de mer · Brochet de mer, Crossie blanc, Loubine · Loubine |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Camuripema · Robalo-branco |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Обыкновенный робало |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Róbalo blanco · róbalo común |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centropomus appendiculatus | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
| Centropomus argenteus | Regan | 1904 | Synonym |
| Centropomus undecimradiatus | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Oxylabrax undecimalis | Bloch | 1792 | Synonym |
| Sciaena undecimalis | Bloch | 1792 | Synonym |
| Sphyraena aureoviridis | Lacepède | 1803 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 81 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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