Fat Snook: Centropomus parallelus

Appearance:

• Deeper body than other snooks
• Color yellow-brown to green-brown above, silvery on sides
• Black lateral line extends onto tail
• Mouth reaches to or beyond center of eye
• Usually no dusky outer edge on pelvic fin, as in other snooks
• Smallest scales of all snooks

Habitat:

This is an inshore species found in mangrove habitats.  Fat snook are also found commonly in fresh waters.  They occur more in interior waters (as opposed to estuarine waters) than other snook.

Behavior:

usually found in fresh water; mangrove shorelines serve as nursery grounds for young.

State Record:

This species is not currently eligible for a state record.

Fishing Tips and Facts:

Similar Fish: other Centropomus.

Additional Information:

Image Credit: Diane Rome Peebles