No evidence has been found of the individual species crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific or vice versa through the Panama Canal. All are known to inhabit Central America and all are excellent gamefish. Six Atlantic and six Pacific Ocean species are currently recognized as scientifically valid. Róbalo or snook are world-renowned game fish of the family Centropomidae and genus Centropomus that are much sought after by fly-fishing enthusiasts and sportfishing charters. The generic name Centropomus derives from the Greek κέντρον (centre, in this sense 'sting') and πώμα (cover, plug, operculum). Many of the snooks are important as commercial food fish and as game fish. Occurring in a variety of habitats ranging from coral reefs to estuaries and mangrove swamps, the snooks are carnivorous, feeding primarily on crustaceans and other fishes. The snook species range in maximum length from about 35 to 140 cm (1 ft 2 in to 4 ft 7 in), with maximum recorded weights of 1.0 – 26 kg (2.2 – 57 lb).

They range from 35 to 120 cm (14 to 47 in) in length and are found in tropical and subtropical waters. These are popular game and food fish.ĭating from the upper Cretaceous, the centropomids are of typical percoid shape, distinguished by having two-part dorsal fins, a lateral line that extends onto the tail, and frequently, a concave shape to the head.

This has left Centropomus as the only remaining genus in this family. Prior to 2004, the subfamily Latinae, which contained three genera, was placed within the Centropomidae this has since been raised to the family level and renamed Latidae because a cladistic analysis showed the old Centropomidae to be paraphyletic. Commonly known as snooks or róbalos, the Centropomus species are native to tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans. The type species is Centropomus undecimalis, the common snook. Centropomus is a genus of predominantly marine fish comprising the family Centropomidae.

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