Species: Centropomus ensiferus, Swordspine Snook

Centropomus ensiferus Poey, 1860

Swordspine Snook

Body oblong, compressed, moderately deep; upper head profile straight to slightly concave; mouth large and protractile, lower jaw protruding; teeth small, in bands; margin of preopercle serrated; gill rakers 14-22; dorsal rays VIII + I,10 (rarely 9), 3rd spine 13.8-18.1% SL, ~height 4th; anal fin short, III strong spines, 5-7 (usually 6), second spine very stout, curved, very long, reaching to or beyond level of tail fin base when depressed; pectoral soft rays 14-17, fin ~reaching rear tip of pelvic; pelvics insert a little behind pectoral base, with I strong spine and 5 rays; tips of pelvic fins reach to or past anus; scales large, rough, lateral scales (immediately above lateral line) 49-59 (usually 50-57); 6-9 (usually 6-8) scales between lateral line and origin of 2nd dorsal fin, 9-11 between lateral line and anal fin origin; lateral line extends to the end of the forked tail fin.

Overall yellow-brown to greenish-brown above, silvery below; lateral line dark, outlined in black (not all black); fins dusky.

Size: to 35 cm.

Inhabits bays, estuaries, and lower reaches of freshwater streams.

Depth: 0-22 m.

Florida to southern Brazil.