Centropomus
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 Common snook (C. undecimalis)
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- For the Canadian comedian, see Snook (comedian).
Centropomus Lacépède, 1802, is a genus of predominantly marine fish in family Centropomidae of order Perciformes. The type species is Centropomus undecimalis, the common snook. Commonly known as snooks or róbalos, the Centropomus species are native to tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans.
The snook species range in maximum length from about 35 cm (14 in) to some 140 cm (4 ft 7 in), with maximum recorded weights of 1.0 – 26 kg (2.2 – 57 lb).
Occurring in a variety of habitats ranging from coral reefs to estuaries and mangrove swamps, the snooks are carnivorous, feeding primarily on crustaceans and other fishes.
Many of the snooks are important as commercial food fish and as game fish.
The generic name Centropomus derives from the Greek κέντρον (centre, in this sense "sting") and πώμα (cover, plug, operculum).
[edit] Species
- Armed snook, Centropomus armatus Gill, 1863
- Swordspine snook, Centropomus ensiferus Poey, 1860
- Blackfin snook, Centropomus medius Günther, 1864
- Guianan snook, Centropomus mexicanus Bocourt, 1868
- Black snook, Centropomus nigrescens Günther, 1864
- Fat snook, Centropomus parallelus Poey, 1860
- Tarpon snook, Centropomus pectinatus Poey, 1860
- Mexican snook, Centropomus poeyi Chávez, 1961
- Yellowfin snook, Centropomus robalito Jordan & Gilbert, 1882
- Common snook, Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch, 1792)
- Union snook, Centropomus unionensis Bocourt, 1868
- White snook, Centropomus viridis Lockington, 1877
[edit] Trivia
The United States Navy submarines named USS Robalo and USS Snook are named for the common snook.
[edit] References
- "Centropomus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
- Centropomus (TSN 167643). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 20 December 2004.
