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Banded barracuda (Sphyraena jello) — Sphyraenidae

Banded barracuda

Sphyraena jello
Family: Sphyraenidae

The Banded barracuda (Sphyraena jello) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sphyraenidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
20.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The pickhandle barracuda is a barracuda (Sphyraenidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery, torpedo-shaped body with oblique dark bars or chevrons on the flank and a large mouth full of sharp teeth. It keeps near current-swept lagoon and seaward reefs, and also in bays and estuaries. As a fast, sight-hunting predator it catches mainly fishes. It is not venomous, but the sharp teeth can inflict a serious bite wound.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded barracuda?

The Banded barracuda has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded barracuda live?

The Banded barracuda lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Banded barracuda get?

The Banded barracuda grows to a maximum of about 150 cm. On average the species is around 120 cm.

Is the Banded barracuda dangerous to humans?

The Banded barracuda is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Banded barracuda edible?

Yes, the Banded barracuda is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pijlbarracuda sourced
English name
Banded barracuda verified
Scientific name
Sphyraena jello
Family
Sphyraenidae
Other names
Banded Barracuda; Banded barracuda verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
150.0 verified
Average length (cm)
120.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

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
Venomous / poisonous 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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