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Barracuda (Sphyraena guachancho) — Sphyraenidae

Barracuda

Sphyraena guachancho
Family: Sphyraenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barracuda (Sphyraena guachancho) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sphyraenidae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The guachanche barracuda (Sphyraena guachancho) is a slender predator of the family Sphyraenidae from warm coastal waters of the Atlantic. The species has an elongate, silvery body, a pointed head and a large mouth with sharp teeth. It occurs in shallow, often turbid coastal water over muddy bottoms, frequently around river mouths, and sometimes enters brackish water. It is a schooling fish hunting other fishes, especially anchovies, herrings, snappers and lizardfishes, and squid. The species is a valued food fish and is fished commercially. It can reach a considerable length.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barracuda?

The Barracuda has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Barracuda live?

The Barracuda lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Barracuda get?

The Barracuda grows to a maximum of about 200 cm. On average the species is around 70 cm.

Is the Barracuda dangerous to humans?

No, the Barracuda is harmless to humans.

Is the Barracuda edible?

Yes, the Barracuda is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Guachanche-barracuda sourced
English name
Barracuda verified
Scientific name
Sphyraena guachancho
Family
Sphyraenidae
Other names
Barracuda; Guachanche verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Average length (cm)
70.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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