Common Snook vs Great Barracuda
Centropomus undecimalis compared with Sphyraena barracuda
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Common Snook | Great Barracuda |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropomus undecimalis | Sphyraena barracuda |
| Order | Carangaria/misc | Perciformes |
| Family | Centropomidae | Sphyraenidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Common Snook | Great Barracuda |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 140.0 cm | 200.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 24.3 kg | 50.0 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. | Steel-gray to dark gunmetal-blue back with a pale silvery-white belly; scattered irregular dark blotches on the lower flanks; tail fin is grayish with whitish tips on both lobes. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Common Snook | Great Barracuda |
|---|---|---|
| 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. … | Circumtropical in shallow coastal waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Frequents coral reefs, seagrass beds, and estuaries from Florida and the Caribbean to … |
| Habitat | Neritic, estuaries | Pelagic, coral reefs, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Common Snook | Great Barracuda |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| 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.
Great Barracuda
Firm, lean white flesh with a mild flavor when small; larger individuals risk ciguatera fish poisoning and are generally avoided. Smaller fish eaten grilled or fried in the Caribbean.
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.
Great Barracuda
The great barracuda is a fearsome-looking predator found in tropical and subtropical oceans. With its torpedo-shaped body, pronounced underbite, and fang-like teeth, it can strike prey at speeds exceeding 58 km/h.