Common Snook vs Summer Flounder
Centropomus undecimalis compared with Paralichthys dentatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Common Snook | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Centropomus undecimalis | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Order | Carangaria/misc | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family | Centropomidae | Paralichthyidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Common Snook | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 140.0 cm | 94.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 24.3 kg | 12.0 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. | Eyed side is brownish to gray-green with a mottled pattern of pale blotches; 12–14 distinct pale-edged dark ocelli (eyespots) scattered across the body; blind side is plain white; color changes with substrate. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Common Snook | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater & Saltwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | ?-22m | 10-183m |
| 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. … | Western North Atlantic from Nova Scotia south to Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Undertakes seasonal offshore migration to deeper Continental Shelf waters in … |
| Habitat | Neritic, estuaries | Neritic, demersal, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Common Snook | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 8/10 | 4/10 |
| 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.
Summer Flounder
Thin, delicate white fillets with a sweet, mild flavor and very low fat. Prized on the U.S. East Coast; superb pan-fried in butter, stuffed and baked, or prepared as ceviche.
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.
Summer Flounder
The summer flounder, or fluke, is a flatfish that lies camouflaged on the ocean floor. Born with eyes on both sides, one eye migrates to the left side during development. An ambush predator, it explodes upward to grab passing prey.