Common Snook vs Goliath Grouper
Centropomus undecimalis compared with Epinephelus itajara
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Common Snook | Goliath Grouper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropomus undecimalis | Epinephelus itajara |
| Order | Carangaria/misc | Perciformes/Serranoidei |
| Family | Centropomidae | Epinephelidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Common Snook | Goliath Grouper |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 140.0 cm | 250.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 24.3 kg | 363.0 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. | Yellow-brown to olive-green body densely covered with small dark brown spots and irregular blotches; 3–4 faint pale vertical bands on the flanks; juveniles show bolder contrasting yellow and black stripes. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Common Snook | Goliath Grouper |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | ?-22m | 0-100m |
| 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. … | Tropical western Atlantic from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico through the Caribbean Sea to Brazil, and eastern Pacific from the Gulf of California to … |
| Habitat | Neritic, estuaries | Neritic, coral reefs, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Common Snook | Goliath Grouper |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| 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.
Goliath Grouper
Firm, flaky white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor; harvest is heavily restricted or banned throughout most of its range due to Vulnerable status. Catch-and-release strongly encouraged.
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.
Goliath Grouper
The goliath grouper is the largest grouper in the Atlantic Ocean. This massive reef dweller can swallow prey whole and produces a distinctive booming sound by contracting its swim bladder to ward off intruders.