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Barracudas (Sphyraena flavicauda) — Sphyraenidae

Barracudas

Sphyraena flavicauda
Family: Sphyraenidae

The Barracudas (Sphyraena flavicauda) is a saltwater fish of the family Sphyraenidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The yellowtail barracuda is a small barracuda (Sphyraenidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 60 cm and has a slender, elongate, silvery body with yellow lateral stripes and a yellow tail, to which the name refers. It inhabits lagoon and sheltered seaward reefs and bays and often forms schools above coastal reefs. The diet consists of small fishes and crustaceans, which it seizes with its powerful jaws and sharp teeth. Through this dentition it can bite if handled carelessly. The species is regularly eaten.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barracudas?

The Barracudas has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Barracudas live?

The Barracudas lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Barracudas get?

The Barracudas grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Barracudas dangerous to humans?

The Barracudas can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

Is the Barracudas edible?

Yes, the Barracudas is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelstaart-barracuda sourced
English name
Barracudas verified
Scientific name
Sphyraena flavicauda
Family
Sphyraenidae
Other names
Dingo fish; Short-finned seapike; Short-finned sea-pike; Shortjawed barracuda; Short-jawed sea-pike verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
98.8 sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sphyraena

More from the family Sphyraenidae

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