Centropomus ensiferus Poey, 1860
Swordspine snook
Centropomus ensiferus
photo by Perusquía, E.

Family:  Centropomidae (Snooks)
Max. size:  36.195 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,025.0 g
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range - 22 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: southern Florida (USA), Greater and Lesser Antilles, and continental Caribbean coasts of Central and South America southward extending to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 1-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. 2nd spine of anal fin greatly enlarged; body yellowish brown dorsally, silver laterally and ventrally; lateral line dusky; pectoral and pelvic fins yellow, other fins dusky (Ref. 13608).
Biology:  Inhabits coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons, penetrating into freshwater; usually prefers very low brackish water or freshwater. Found over soft bottoms (Ref. 5217). Feeds on small fishes (Engraulidae, Clupeidae, etc.) and crustaceans (mainly shrimps) (Ref. 35237).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 January 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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