Barracuda

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Barracuda
Temporal range: Eocene–present [1]
Barracuda with prey.jpg
Sphyraena barracuda with prey
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Istiophoriformes
Family: Sphyraenidae
Rafinesque, 1815
Genus: Sphyraena
J. T. Klein, 1778
Type species
Sphyraena sphyraena
Synonyms
  • SphyrenaArtedi, 1793 (Missp.)
  • AcusPlumier in Lacépède, 1803 (Unav.)
  • SphyroenaDuméril, 1805 (Missp.)
  • SphaerinaSwainson, 1839 (Missp.)
  • SphraenaDe Kay, 1842 (Missp.)
  • AgrioposphyraenaFowler, 1903
  • AustraluzzaWhitley, 1947
  • CallosphyraenaSmith, 1956
  • IndosphyraenaSmith, 1956
  • SphyraenellaSmith, 1956

A barracuda is a large, predatory, ray-finned fish known for its fearsome appearance and ferocious behaviour. The barracuda is a saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae, which was named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815. [2] It is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide ranging from the eastern border of the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, on its western border the Caribbean Sea, and in tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean. Barracudas reside near the top of the water and near coral reefs and sea grasses. [3] Barracudas are targeted by sport-fishing enthusiasts.

Etymology

The common name "barracuda" is derived from Spanish, with the original word being of possibly Cariban origin. [4]

Description

Great barracuda hovering in the current at the Paradise Reef, Cozumel, Mexico Barracuda laban.jpg
Great barracuda hovering in the current at the Paradise Reef, Cozumel, Mexico

Barracuda are snake-like in appearance, with prominent, sharp-edged, fang-like teeth, much like piranha, all of different sizes, set in sockets of their large jaws. They have large, pointed heads with an underbite in many species. Their gill covers have no spines and are covered with small scales. Their two dorsal fins are widely separated, with the anterior fin having five spines, and the posterior fin having one spine and nine soft rays. The posterior dorsal fin is similar in size to the anal fin and is situated above it. The lateral line is prominent and extends straight from head to tail. The spinous dorsal fin is placed above the pelvic fins and is normally retracted in a groove. The caudal fin is moderately forked with its posterior edge double-curved and is set at the end of a stout peduncle. The pectoral fins are placed low on the sides. The swim bladder is large, allowing for minimal energy expenditure while cruising or remaining idle. [5]

In most cases, barracuda are dark gray, dark green, white, or blue on the upper body, with silvery sides and a chalky-white belly. Coloration varies somewhat between species. For some species, irregular black spots or a row of darker cross-bars occur on each side. Their fins may be yellowish or dusky. Barracudas live primarily in oceans, but certain species, such as the great barracuda, live in brackish water. Due to similarities, sometimes Barracuda is compared with freshwater pike, though the major difference between the two is that Barracuda has two separate dorsal fins with a forked tail, unlike the freshwater pike. [6]

Some species grow quite large (up to 65 inches or 165 cm in length), [7] such as Sphyraena sphyraena, found in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic; Sphyraena picudilla, ranging on the Atlantic coast of tropical America from North Carolina to Brazil and reaching Bermuda. Other barracuda species are found around the world. Examples are Sphyraena argentea, found from Puget Sound southwards to Cabo San Lucas, Sphyraena jello, from the seas of India and the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago.

Species

The barracuda genus Sphyraena contains 29 species: [8]

Behavior and diet

Barracudas are ferocious, opportunistic predators, relying on surprise and short bursts of speed, up to 27 mph (43 km/h), [11] to overtake their prey.

Adults of most species are more or less solitary, while young and half-grown fish frequently congregate.

Barracudas prey primarily on fish (which may include some as large as themselves). Common prey fish include jacks, grunts, groupers, snappers, small tunas, mullets, killifishes, herrings, and anchovies; often by simply biting them in half. [12] They kill and consume larger prey by tearing chunks out of their prey. They also seem to consume smaller species of sustenance that are in front of them. Barracuda species are often seen competing against mackerel, needle fish and sometimes even dolphins for prey. [3]

Barracudas are usually found swimming in saltwater searching for schools of plankton-feeding fish. Their silver and elongated bodies make them difficult for prey to detect, especially when viewed head-on. Barracudas depend heavily on their eyesight when they are out hunting. When hunting, they tend to notice everything that has an unusual color, reflection, or movement. Once a barracuda targets an intended prey item, its long tail and matching anal and dorsal fins enable it to move with swift bursts of speed to attack its prey before it can escape. Barracudas generally attack schools of fish, speeding at them head first and biting at them with their jaws. When barracudas age, they tend to swim alone. However, there are times when they tend to stay with the pack. Barracudas will sometimes swim in groups. In this case, they can relocate schools of fish into compact areas or lead them into shallow water to more easily feed on them.[ citation needed ]

Interactions with humans

Some species of barracuda are reputed to be dangerous to swimmers. Barracudas are scavengers, and may mistake snorkelers for large predators, following them hoping to eat the remains of their prey. Swimmers have reported being bitten by barracudas, but such incidents are rare and possibly caused by poor visibility. Large barracudas can be encountered in muddy shallows on rare occasion. Barracudas may mistake things that glint and shine for prey. [13] One incident reported a barracuda jumping out of water and injuring a kayaker, [14] but Jason Schratwieser, conservation director of the International Game Fish Association, said that the wound could have been caused by a houndfish. [15]

As food

Barracudas are popular both as food and game fish. They are most often eaten as fillets or steaks. Larger species, such as the great barracuda, have been implicated in cases of ciguatera food poisoning. [16] Those who have been diagnosed with this type of food poisoning display symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort, limb weakness, and an inability to differentiate hot from cold effectively. [12]

West Africans smoke them for use in soups and sauces. Smoking protects the soft flesh from disintegrating in the broth and gives it a smoky flavour.

Related Research Articles

<i>Mycteroperca bonaci</i> Species of fish

Mycteroperca bonaci, the black grouper, black rockfish or marbled rockfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. Other fish are sometimes called the black grouper including the similar gag grouper, the misty grouper, and the warsaw grouper. This species is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from the northeastern United States to Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Double-lined mackerel</span> Species of fish

The double-lined mackerel, is a species of Spanish mackerel in the family Scombridae. This species is sometimes also called the scad mackerel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lethrinidae</span> Family of fishes

Lethrinidae are a family of ray-finned fishes belonging to the order Spariformes commonly known as emperors, emperor breams, and pigface breams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian barracuda</span> Species of fish

The Australian barracuda, arrow barracuda, Australian sea pike, sea pike, snook, or shortfin barracuda, Sphyraena novaehollandiae, is a barracuda of the genus Sphyraena which occurs in the south-western Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pickhandle barracuda</span> Species of fish

The pickhandle barracuda is a species of barracuda found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Its common name derives from the dark marks along its sides, which look like the thick ends of pickaxe handles. Sea anglers sometimes colloquially shorten the name to "pick". Other common names for the species include banded barracuda, yellowtail barracuda, and sea pike.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellowtail barracuda</span> Species of fish

The yellowtail barracuda is one of the smaller species of barracuda of the family Sphyraenidae, which can be found in Indo-West Pacific oceans. It has also invaded the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea, making it one of the Lessepsian migrants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great barracuda</span> Species of fish

Sphyraena barracuda, commonly known as the great barracuda, is a species of barracuda: large, predatory ray-finned fish found in subtropical oceans around the world.

The northern sennet, Sphyraena borealis, is an ocean-going species of fish in the barracuda family, Sphyraenidae. It was described by the American zoologist James Ellsworth De Kay in 1842. De Kay's description was part of several volumes he published regarding the fauna of New York from 1842-1849. Northern sennet are also known as northern barracuda. While generally considered a gamefish it has only rarely been used as food by humans.

The southern sennet is an ocean-going species of game fish in the barracuda family, Sphyraenidae. It was described by the Cuban zoologist Felipe Poey. The description was part of a two-volume work, which Poey published in 1860, entitled Historia Natural de la Isla de Cuba or Natural History of the Island of Cuba. Southern sennet are sometimes used as a food fish, and marketed either fresh or frozen. Although they are generally harmless, Southern sennet have been linked to ciguatera poisoning.

The Guachanche barracuda is an ocean-going species of game fish in the barracuda family, Sphyraenidae. It was described by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier in 1829. The description was part of the second edition of Le Règne Animal, or The Animal Kingdom. Guachanche barracuda are also known simply as guaguanche throughout much of the Caribbean. When used for food, Guaguanche barracuda are usually sold fresh or salted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific barracuda</span> Species of fish

Sphyraena argentea is a predatory species of marine barracuda fish of the family Sphyraenidae. They are found in the northeast Pacific Ocean, from Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur north to Washington State. However, they are not common north of Point Conception in Santa Barbara County, California, usually preferring warmer waters. They can reach a length of about 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) and a weight of about 6.8 kilograms (15 lb). This species of barracuda is a very popular sport fish in Southern California.

<i>Scorpaenopsis diabolus</i> Species of fish

Scorpaenopsis diabolus, the false stonefish, false scorpionfish or the devil scorpionfish, is a species of venomous marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. It has venomous spines and lives in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans as well as in the Red Sea. It is a bottom-dwelling predator that relies on its camouflage to catch passing prey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackfin barracuda</span> Species of fish

The blackfin barracuda, also known as the chevron barracuda, is a species of barracuda that ranges from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Indo and Western Pacific and as far as French Polynesia.

Sphyraena sphyraena, also known as the European barracuda or Mediterranean barracuda, is a ray-finned predatory fish of the Mediterranean basin and the warmer waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

<i>Sphyraena helleri</i> Species of fish

Sphyraena helleri, the Heller's barracuda, is a schooling species of barracuda in the family Sphyraenidae.

<i>Sphyraena viridensis</i> Species of fish

Sphyraena viridensis, the yellowmouth barracuda or yellow barracuda is a predatory ray-finned fish from the family Sphyraenidae, the barracudas. It is found in the warmer waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. It is often confused with the European barracuda.

<i>Sphyraena chrysotaenia</i> Species of fish

Sphyraena chrysotaenia, the yellowstripe barracuda, is a species of predatory, ray finned fish from the family Sphyraenidae which is found in the Indo-West Pacific region. It has entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal as a Lessepesian migrant and is now an important species in the fisheries of the eastern Mediterranean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bigeye barracuda</span> Species of fish

The bigeye barracuda is a species of the family Sphyraenidae, which can be found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific oceans, excluding Hawaii.

Sphyraena arabiansis commonly known as the Arabian barracuda Is a species of barracuda found in the eastern Arabian Sea. Once thought to be a population of great barracuda they are now considered distinct due to morphological and genetic differences.

<i>Sphyraena putnamae</i> Species of barracuda

Sphyraena putnamae, the sawtooth, chevron or military barracuda, is a species of barracuda found in all tropical seas and temperate waters of major oceans with the exception of the eastern pacific. It is found near shores in bays, turbid lagoons, and some reefs. A recognizable feature is the many dark chevron-shaped markings along its side, and its forked caudal fin. It spends its time in the shallow part of the sea off the coast, and stays closers to the surface levels of the open ocean. It can reach an age of 14 years old, and grow up to six feet long and over 100 pounds.

References

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