Great Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda (Edwards, 1771)

Scientific name: Sphyraena barracuda
Alternative name/s:
Akerstrom's Sea-pike, Barracuda, Dingo-fish, Giant Barracuda, Giant Sea-pike, Small-eyed Barracuda
Great Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda Click to enlarge image
A Great Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda, at a depth of 15m, Bali, Indonesia, 29 September 2014. David stated, "Most people see these fish as plain silver, however in real life they may exhibit a mottled colour display as shown". Image: David Cowdery
© David Cowdery

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Sphyraena
    Species
    barracuda
    Family
    Sphyraenidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia

Habitat

Juvenile Great Barracuda are found inshore but adults are usually observed in open waters or near reefs. The video, below, supplied by Julia Santana Garcon (University of Western Australia) shows a fish in an open water habitat.

Distribution

The species has an Indo-west-central-Pacific distribution. The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Barracuda and prey at High Rock
Barracuda and prey at High Rock near Lizard Island Image: Lyle Vail and Anne Hoggett
© Australian Museum

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.