Common Snook vs Greater Amberjack
Centropomus undecimalis compared with Seriola dumerili
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Common Snook | Greater Amberjack |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropomus undecimalis | Seriola dumerili |
| Order | Carangaria/misc | Carangiformes |
| Family | Centropomidae | Carangidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Common Snook | Greater Amberjack |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 140.0 cm | 200.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 24.3 kg | 80.6 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. | Olive-green to bluish back with a wide amber to golden-yellow mid-lateral stripe running from eye to tail; silvery-white belly; a dark diagonal stripe extends from snout through the eye to the dorsal fin. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Common Snook | Greater Amberjack |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | ?-22m | 1-385m |
| 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. … | Circumglobal in tropical and subtropical waters including the Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific. Commonly found around deepwater reefs, rocky outcrops, and offshore oil … |
| Habitat | Neritic, estuaries | Pelagic, coral reefs |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Common Snook | Greater Amberjack |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Greater Amberjack
Firm, rich flesh with a moderately strong flavor; can carry parasites in tropical waters, requiring thorough cooking. Good grilled or baked; related to the highly prized Japanese hamachi.
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.
Greater Amberjack
The greater amberjack is the largest of the jacks, known for brutal head-shaking fights and powerful dives toward structure. Found near reefs, wrecks, and offshore platforms in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.