Description:
The common snook is a robust fish that reaches 55 inches in length and may weigh 50 pounds.  It is easily distinguished by its sloping forehead, protruding lower jaw, and prominent lateral line.  The dorsal surface is a dull gray color with a yellow to green tint, while the ventral surface is silvery.  The pectoral fins, pelvic fins, second dorsal fin, and the dorsal lobe of the caudal fin are often bright yellow in color; however, the fins of river specimens may be considerably darker in color than those from coastal waters.  Female specimens are generally larger than males of the same age.

Habitat:
Common snook have a preference for mangrove-fringed estuarine habitats and are, by far, the most abundant and wide-ranging of all snook species.  Juvenile snook utilize 3 distinct habitat areas in their first year.  The smallest snook primarily inhabit fresh water. As these small fish grow, they migrate to salt marsh habitats, where they remain for approximately 60 -90 days. Juveniles will next migrate to seagrass beds and will remain in this habitat for 4 - 5 months. Seagrass beds 5 - 15 km from ocean inlets are the preferred habitat areas for older juveniles.   Maturation begins when juveniles reach approximately 12 inches.  At this time, snook disperse to various fresh water, brackish and marine habitat areas, and will remain generally non-migratory as adults except for congregating for spawning in high salinity areas.

Similar Species:
The common snook sometimes occur with other snook species in the Indian River Lagoon.  The swordspine snook is differentiated by the dorsal fin tapering to a filament; while the fat snook is differentiated on its somewhat deeper body. 

Range:  
The common snook ranges from the coastal mid-Atlantic United States to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, with the center of abundance being coastal Florida.