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Red barracuda (Sphyraena pinguis) — Sphyraenidae

Red barracuda

Sphyraena pinguis
Family: Sphyraenidae

The Red barracuda (Sphyraena pinguis) is a saltwater fish of the family Sphyraenidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–6.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
May bite
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The red barracuda is a barracuda (Sphyraenidae) from coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate, silver-brown, torpedo-shaped body with a pointed head and a large mouth full of sharp teeth. As a fast predator it hunts small fish and crustaceans in schools over sand and reef bottoms. It is a food fish. With its sharp teeth it can bite if disturbed or when caught; caution is advised.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red barracuda?

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

Where does the Red barracuda live?

The Red barracuda lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Red barracuda get?

The Red barracuda grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Red barracuda dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Red barracuda edible?

Yes, the Red barracuda is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bruine barracuda sourced
English name
Red barracuda sourced
Scientific name
Sphyraena pinguis
Family
Sphyraenidae
Other names
Good salmon; Little barracuda; Obtuse barracuda; Pygmy barracuda; Red barracuda verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized inferred
Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. 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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