| Blackfin barracuda | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Istiophoriformes |
| Family: | Sphyraenidae |
| Genus: | Sphyraena |
| Species: | S. qenie |
| Binomial name | |
| Sphyraena qenie Klunzinger, 1870 | |
The blackfin barracuda (Sphyraena qenie), also known as the chevron barracuda, is known for its aggressive, predatory personality. [1]
This species of barracuda ranges from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Indo and Western Pacific and as far as French Polynesia and typically live in tropical and temperate waters. [2] The Indo-Pacific Ocean has tropical and subtropical waters that make it a favorable habitat for S. qenie. [2] The first sighting of this species in Indian waters was in 1966. [1]
Although rare, this species can also be found in the tropical East Pacific. [2] [3]
In Japan, they can be found in the waters around Ryuku, Amami Oshima, Yonaguni, Tanega, and Ishigaki Islands. [2] For Ryuku Island, only the adults migrate there from tropical waters when temperatures are too high. [2] Additionally, during the summer seasons, they have also been spotted near Okinoerabu Island waters from July to October. [2]
It is typically encountered on coral reefs down to 50 m (160 ft) where it forms large schools. [4] [5] [6] [7] During the hours of late afternoon through dusk, S. qenie leaves the reefs to feed, going to relatively deep waters to find its prey. [3] [8]
The blackfin barracuda reaches a maximum size of 140 cm (55 in). The blackfin barracuda is known for its long black lateral bands that go around its body. These bands extend laterally down the torso and are v-shaped with the apex facing to the front. [1] There are about 18 to 22 bands that are on the fish's body. The number of bands sets them apart from similar species, the S. jello and S. putnamae. [8]
It has elongated last rays on the second dorsal fin and anal fins and a blackish caudal fin.[ citation needed ]
One of the most distinct features of this species of barracuda is that they lack gill rakers. [1] [2] [8]
As for their mouths, the maxilla, or upper jaw, goes in a vertical line through the front of their eyes and the lower jaw, which is longer than the upper jaw. [1] This upper jaw has a conical tip that is distinct to this species. [1] Next to the mouth, their preopercle does not have a skinny flap, as most others do. [1]
The anal fin is located in the middle under the second dorsal fin, and the heart is located near the anal. [1]
Although this species is very similar to S. putnamae, there are some differences that set it apart. S. qenie has 19 or 20 longitudinal scale rows that are level with the middle and ventral margins of the eye [2] while S. putnamae has 11-15. As for the scales extending between the eye and preopercular margin [2] S. qenie has 25-27, and S. putnamae has 15-20. [2] Additionally, the upper jaw of S. qenie is shorter, allowing for the distinct longer bottom jaw, the first dorsal and pelvis fins are towards the front of the body, and the anal fin and second dorsal have longer anterior rays. [2] It also has a slimmer body insertion. [2]
Originally, S. qenie was thought to be a smaller version of Sphraena nigripinnis but scientists later found that the caudal fins of S. nigripinnis are relatively forked, and they also have two well-developed lobes that are very large. [8]
S. qenie is not a favorable sport fish, but is used for forms of longline fishing. Its delicate flesh is flavorful, making it desirable as bait, especially for catching tuna. [1] [9] It is usually caught at night by trawling, [3] [9] but for this reason, is not commonly spotted in American Samoa. [9]
In a study conducted in remote Oceania to find levels of Mercury (Hg) in coral reef systems, S. qenie played an important role in indicating the amounts of Hg in remote ecosystems. [9] It was found that by world health standards, levels of Mercury were high in reef predators that live in the waters that weren't impacted and that eating these top-trophic reef fish might have to be warranted at the time. [9]
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. 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. Barracudas are targeted by sport-fishing enthusiasts.
Dendrochirus biocellatus, the twospot turkeyfish, twinspot lionfish, twoeyed lionfish or ocellated lionfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and lionfishes. This species is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific region, In the wild, the species eats small fish as well as shrimp.
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.
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.
Naso vlamingii, the bignose unicornfish, scibbled unicornfish, Vlaming's unicornfish, and zebra unicornfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Indo-Pacific.
Dendrochirus zebra, known commonly as the zebra turkeyfish or zebra lionfish among other vernacular names, is a species of marine fish in the family Scorpaenidae.
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.
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.
Rhinopias eschmeyeri or Eschmeyer's scorpionfish or paddle-flap scorpionfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. This species is found in the Indo-West Pacific. It grows to an average size of 16.6 cm in length. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. Although some have raised questions as to whether R. eschmeyeri is a morphological variant of Rhinopias frondosa rather than a separate species, a 2006 study by Motomura and Johnson confirmed the species' existence and distinguished it from other members of the genus Rhinopias.
The Indo-Pacific blue marlin is a species of marlin belonging to the family Istiophoridae.
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.
The honeycomb grouper, also known as black-spotted rock-cod, common birdwire rockcod, dwarf spotted rockcod, dwarf-spotted grouper, honeycomb cod, wire-netted reefcod or wire-netting cod, 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. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution where it is found in coastal and offshore reefs in shallow waters.
Cirripectes vanderbilti, the scarface blenny, is a species of combtooth blenny found in coral reefs in the Hawaiian and Johnston islands in the eastern central Pacific ocean. This species reaches a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) SL. It is commonly confused with Cirripectes variolosus.
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.
Sargocentron spiniferum, common name sabre squirrelfish, giant squirrelfish and spiny squirrelfish, is a large Indo-Pacific species of squirrelfish belonging to the family Holocentridae.
The blackfin snapper, also known as the blackspot snapper, blackfin red snapper, gun-mouth backfin, gun-mouth snapper, redfish and wrenchman is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is native to the western Atlantic Ocean. It is a commercially important species, though it has been reported to carry the ciguatera toxin.
Sphyraena helleri, the Heller's barracuda, is a schooling species of barracuda in the family Sphyraenidae.
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.
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.
