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Pelican barracuda (Sphyraena idiastes) — Sphyraenidae

Pelican barracuda

Sphyraena idiastes
Family: Sphyraenidae

The Pelican barracuda (Sphyraena idiastes) is a saltwater fish of the family Sphyraenidae that grows up to 91 cm.

Length
91 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–24.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
May bite

Description

The Pelican barracuda is a barracuda (Sphyraenidae) from coastal and reef water of the eastern Pacific, from Mexico to Peru. The species grows to about 75 cm and has an elongate, silvery, torpedo-shaped body with a large mouth full of sharp, dagger-like teeth. As a fast predator it hunts smaller fish, sometimes in schools. Large individuals can give a fierce bite when handled or in turbid water; keep clear of the jaws.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pelican barracuda?

The Pelican barracuda has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Pelican barracuda live?

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

How big does the Pelican barracuda get?

The Pelican barracuda grows to a maximum of about 91 cm.

Is the Pelican barracuda dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pelikaan-barracuda sourced
English name
Pelican barracuda sourced
Scientific name
Sphyraena idiastes
Family
Sphyraenidae
Other names
Pelican barracuda; Picuda verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
91.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
24.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

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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