Barracudas

Details

Sphyraena—the barracudas—belongs to the family Sphyraenidae. They are iconic fast predators with elongate bodies, a huge gape and prominent canines, preying mainly on small to mid‑sized fishes. They combine ambush with burst chases and commonly patrol reef passes, outer slopes and shelf edges.

Ecology & Biology

• Diet: sardines, jacks, anchovies and cephalopods; juveniles take planktonic fishes/crustaceans.

• Behaviour: juveniles/subadults often school; large adults are solitary or in small groups; dawn/dusk peaks.

• Reproduction: pelagic group spawners; eggs/larvae are planktonic.

• Growth & Life: relatively fast growth; lifespans commonly 10–14 years.

Identification

Elongate torpedo‑like body; large jaws with strong upper and lower canines; two separate dorsal fins(spinous then soft); nearly straight lateral line; narrow caudal peduncle and deeply forked tail. Many species show longitudinal bars or dusky spots.

Size & Mass

• Length: typically 50–100 cm; giants (e.g., S. barracuda) reach 150–180+ cm.

• Weight: commonly 1–8 kg; largest > 20 kg.

Range & Habitat

Widespread in tropical–subtropical nearshore/offshore habitats: coral/rocky reefs, lagoons, seagrass meadows and shelf edges; juveniles in coastal shallows and mangroves.

People & Management

• Fisheries & sport: valued as game and table fish, but ciguatera risk occurs in some regions.

• Safety: attracted to flashy objects; snorkellers/swimmers should avoid bright metallic jewellery.

• Management: size limits/quotas, habitat protection and HAB monitoring; juvenile recruitment can be environmentally variable.

IUCN: genus‑level overview only; statuses vary (LC–NT–VU). Entry marked Not Evaluated (NE).