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Snooks: Swordspine Snook

Family Centropomidae, SNOOKS
Centropomus ensiferus

Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: smallest of the snooks; profile slightly concave; prominent lateral line outlined in black (not solid), extends through caudal fin; color yellow-green to brown-green above, silvery below; giant second anal spine, hence the name; largest scales of all snook.

Similar Fish: other Centropomus.

Where found: occurs in INSHORE estuarine habitats from south Florida to as far north on east coast as St. Lucie River.

Size: usually less than 1 pound (12 inches).

*Florida Record: n/a

Remarks: full-grown adults are less than 12 inches long; mangrove shoreline habitat serves as nursery area for young; rare on Florida's west coast; prefers only slightly brackish or fresh water.

* The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.