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Constantino snook (Centropomus mexicanus) — Centropomidae

Constantino snook

Centropomus mexicanus
Family: Centropomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Constantino snook (Centropomus mexicanus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Centropomidae that grows up to 48 cm.

Length
47.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic, in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Mexican snook is a snook (Centropomidae) from the western Atlantic, in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. The species reaches about 47 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a conspicuous black lateral line and a projecting lower jaw. It occurs in river mouths and the coastal zone and spawns on shallow banks. The diet consists of small fishes and crustaceans. Juveniles bear a black tip on the dorsal fin and join foraging groups of mojarras, profiting from prey stirred up by their digging. The species is a valued recreational and food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Constantino snook?

The Constantino snook has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Pronounced black lateral line; juveniles join foraging mojarras.

Where does the Constantino snook live?

The Constantino snook lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic, in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

How big does the Constantino snook get?

The Constantino snook grows to a maximum of about 48 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Constantino snook dangerous to humans?

No, the Constantino snook is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Constantino snook edible?

Yes, the Constantino snook is commonly eaten.

More photos

Constantino snook (Centropomus mexicanus) — Centropomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) IHUNTA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Constantino snook verified
Scientific name
Centropomus mexicanus
Family
Centropomidae
Other names
Guianan snook; Largescale fat snook; Mexican snook verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.5 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 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
Natural range
Western Atlantic, in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Pronounced black lateral line; juveniles join foraging mojarras. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with bait or lures in river mouths; a popular sport fish. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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