Above: In this picture a young premium quality Red Bay Snook Cichlid is swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.

Comments: These are awesome fish with great coloring.

Origin: The ancestors of this Snook came from Mexico. But now they live in aquariums all over the world. 

Maximum Size: In aquariums, they are able to grow to be about 20" long.

Behaviors: Snooks are usually not-aggressive, but can be when feeding. They are mild tempered but will swallow just about any fish that fits into their protusible mouth!

Compatibility: These fish do best with similar cichlid species, but be sure they are not bullied by other cichlids. Many are kept one to an aquarium, and eventually one them will need a large aquariu.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: Snooks live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal. Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is the best food for Cichlids to eat. It would be best to feed them small pellets when they're small, then gradually increase the size of the pellets, as they grow bigger.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: These fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity. Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: Snooks will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 60-gallons of water, but of course bigger is better. They will end up needing a tank of 100-gallons or bigger, when they mature.

Decor: Snooks do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water. Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but cichlids like these Snooks will rip up any plants that may be in the tank. They like medium size gravel about the size of rice mixed with a few aquarium-safe rocks.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended. Most 100-gallon aquariums have room along the back for at least tthree Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of the minimum set up for Snooks.

Better is a 120, 150, 200-gallon or even a bigger aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back. Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range. Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Snooks can live for several years. Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they'll most likely breed and produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.

Gender: The males start to get larger than the females as they mature, they will also turn redder and be pushier. The females will stay back during feeding, allowing the males to eat first.

Breeding: Snook females lay their eggs in the sand bed where the male previously dug a nest. Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: The Snooks have been a very popular aquarium fish.

Names: Their scientific name is Petenia splendida.

Variations: There are at least two variations of this species that are known to us. One variation is grey and the other orange. Aquarist prefer the orange variation, which they exaggerate and call "red".

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Snooks, including a picture gallery.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.