Common Snook vs Electric Eel
Centropomus undecimalis compared with Electrophorus electricus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Common Snook | Electric Eel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropomus undecimalis | Electrophorus electricus |
| Order | Carangaria/misc | Gymnotiformes |
| Family | Centropomidae | Gymnotidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Common Snook | Electric Eel |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 140.0 cm | 250.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 24.3 kg | 20.0 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. | Dark olive-gray to grayish-brown cylinder-shaped body with a pale yellowish-orange throat and chin; back uniformly dark; scaleless skin has a smooth appearance; long ribbon-like anal fin is pinkish. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Common Snook | Electric Eel |
|---|---|---|
| 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. … | Native to the Orinoco and Amazon river basins in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil. Inhabits murky, oxygen-depleted floodplain pools, swamps, and slow-moving streams in lowland … |
| Habitat | Neritic, estuaries | Estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Common Snook | Electric Eel |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Electric Eel
Not consumed — an ornamental and scientific novelty species kept in specialized aquarium exhibits; edible in principle but extremely dangerous to handle due to powerful electric discharge.
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.
Electric Eel
Despite its name, the electric eel is not a true eel but a knifefish. It can generate electrical discharges of up to 860 volts to stun prey and defend itself. About 80% of its body is dedicated to three electric organs.