Common Snook vs Discus
Centropomus undecimalis compared with Symphysodon discus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Common Snook | Discus |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropomus undecimalis | Symphysodon discus |
| Order | Carangaria/misc | Cichliformes |
| Family | Centropomidae | Cichlidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Common Snook | Discus |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 140.0 cm | 20.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 24.3 kg | 0.25 kg |
| Color | Pale golden-olive to grayish-brown back with silvery flanks; a bold black lateral stripe runs from the operculum to the tail; belly pale yellow-white; fins are yellowish with a dusky posterior dorsal fin. | Deep-bodied disc shape with vibrant turquoise-blue wavy horizontal lines over a reddish-brown to orange-brown base; fins edged in vivid blue with red striping; wild forms show 9 dark vertical bars. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Common Snook | Discus |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Freshwater |
| Depth Range | ?-22m | — |
| Geographic Range | Western Atlantic from South Carolina south through the Gulf of Mexico, entire Caribbean, and along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Central America to Brazil. … | Restricted to the central Amazon River basin in Brazil, particularly around the confluence of the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões. Prefers warm, soft, highly acidic … |
| Habitat | Neritic, estuaries | Warm, blackwater rivers of the Amazon basin, particularly the Rio Negro and tributaries. Prefers soft, acidic water (pH 4.5-6.5, 26-31°C) with driftwood and minimal current. … |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Common Snook | Discus |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | — | 250 L |
| Temperature | — | 26-30 |
| pH Range | — | 5.0-7.0 |
| Care Level | — | Difficult |
| Temperament | — | Peaceful |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Common Snook | Discus |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | No |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | — |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Common Snook
Sweet, firm white flesh with a mild, clean flavor; low fat and large flakes. Highly regarded as table fare in Florida and the Caribbean; excellent grilled, blackened, or pan-seared.
Discus
Not consumed — a prized ornamental aquarium fish known as the 'king of the aquarium' for its disc-shaped body and brilliant colors.
Species Overview
Common Snook
The common snook is a prized inshore game fish found in tropical western Atlantic waters. It is highly sensitive to cold water and cannot survive temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius. Its lateral line is distinctive — a bold black stripe.
Discus
The discus is often called the 'King of the Aquarium' for its disc-shaped body and stunning color patterns. Native to the Amazon floodplains, it requires warm, soft, acidic water and feeds its fry with a mucus secretion from its skin.