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Blackfin snook (Centropomus medius) — Centropomidae

Blackfin snook

Centropomus medius
Family: Centropomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackfin snook (Centropomus medius) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Centropomidae that grows up to 65 cm.

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

Description

The blackfin snook is a snook (Centropomidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body with a pointed head, a projecting lower jaw and a conspicuous dark lateral line. Adults live in bays and estuaries and penetrate fresh waters far inland. 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 sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Blackfin snook get?

The Blackfin snook grows to a maximum of about 65 cm. On average the species is around 30 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.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartvin-snoek sourced
English name
Blackfin snook verified
Scientific name
Centropomus medius
Family
Centropomidae
Other names
Blackfin snook; Pacific blackfin verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
65.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 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
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
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

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