Species: Centropomus poeyi, Mexican Snook

Centropomus poeyi Chávez, 1961

Mexican 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 15-18, lower rakers 10-11 (9-12); dorsal rays VIII + I, 9 (8-10), 3rd spine > 4th; anal fin short, III strong spines, 6, 2nd anal spine slightly curved, not longer than 3rd when erect, not reaching to base of tail fin when depressed; pectoral soft rays 16 (15-17), fin ~same length as pelvic; pelvics insert a little behind pectoral base, with I strong spine and 5 rays; tips of pelvic fins not reaching anus in adults; scales large, rough, lateral scales (immediately above lateral line) 73-80 (usually 75-80); scales from lateral line to origin of 2nd dorsal fin 10-13 (usually 11-12), 12-15 scales 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; dark lateral line; fins dusky.

Size: to 90 cm.

Inhabits bays, estuaries, lagoons, entering freshwater; prefers low salinity to freshwater over marine conditions.

Depth: 0-20 m.

SW Gulf of Mexico to Belize.