Snook

Sphyraena Novaehollandiae

Quick Facts

Scientific name Sphyraena Novaehollandiae

Other names Australian Barracuda, Pike, Sea Pike, Shortfin Pike, Short Finned Sea Pike, Striped Barracuda, Yellowtail

Size Up to 1.1 m (3.6 ft)

Weight Up to 5 kg (11 lbs)

Distribution

Habitat & AU Distribution Bays, seagrass beds, kelp reefs, sandy inshore reef edges with seagrass

Depth Range

Interesting Info

Snook are an aggressive predatory fish that can be found in shallow patches of seagrass, weed & sandy areas of reefs to depths of 30 m (98 ft).
They are ambush hunters but also actively chase its prey, which includes smaller reef & baitfish, crustaceans & bloodworms.
Snook are a migratory species preferring cooler inshore waters. They can be found in large shoals patrolling coastal waters.
Estimates on lifespan are up to 20 years, maturing around 2 years of age.
They are a popular sports fish amongst anglers on light tackle.
The main predators of Snook include sharks, tuna, large groper and larger predatory fish.

Species Interaction

Recreational & Commercial Fishing

Snook are a popular sports fish known for their aggressiveness and strong fight. They are commonly found around inshore seagrass & weed beds often near reefs patrolling for prey. They can be found in large schools or hunting in smaller packs. Often spotted by recreational snorkelers & scuba divers.

The Australian distribution for Snook includes waters from southern Western Australia around South Australia & Victoria and up through New South Wales into southern parts of Queensland.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Scombriformes

Family: Sphyraenidae

Genus: Sphyraena

Species: Sphyraena novaehollandiae

Conservation Status

Snook are not evaluated on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) site. However, as its a fast growing species there are limited concerns of over fishing.