Snoek

Introduction: The name derives from the Dutch for pike - 'snoek'. The common snoek (Centropomus undecimalis) is a species of marine fish native to the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Namibian coastline amongst others. They can be fished mainly in shallow coastal waters (up to 20m deep), estuaries and lagoons and they often enter fresh water.

A truly remarkable feature of the snoek is that they are one of the only fish to change sexes during their lifespan. They turn male-to-female when they are from about 10cm in length. They are an excellent food and fished commercially. It is also prized as a game fish, being known for their great fighting capabilities and impressive teeth.

Diet: Snoek are carnivorous, with a diet dominated by smaller fishes and crustaceans such as shrimps and occasionally crabs.

Colouring: They are most unremarkable in colouration except for a distinctive black lateral line. It can also possess bright yellow pelvic and caudal fins, especially during spawning.

Size: The largest snoek can grow to 1.4m and weigh up to 24kg.