Family: CENTROPOMIDAE, Snooks

FAMILY CENTROPOMIDAE

SNOOKS

The New World snooks (genus Centropomus) are generally medium-sized (35-120 cm), silvery perch-like fishes with oblong, elongate, compressed bodies; head pointed, with forehead oblique to concave; mouth large and protractile, lower jaw strongly protruding; margin of preopercle serrated; two well separated dorsal fins: VIII + I, 8-11; anal fin short, III strong spines, 5-8 soft rays; pelvics insert a little behind pectoral base, with I strong spine and 5 rays; strongly forked tail fin; large rough scales; lateral line, which usually is dark, extends to the end of the tail fin.

Snooks are very common in mangrove areas and exhibit a wide tolerance to salinity fluctuations. They readily enter rivers and may occur in pure fresh water. Snooks feed on a wide variety of invertebrates and fishes. They are fine angling fishes and are good eating. They also form an important portion of the commercial catch in the region.