Great barracuda
| Great barracuda | |
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| Great barracuda hovering in the current at Paradise Reef, Cozumel, Mexico | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Istiophoriformes |
| Family: | Sphyraenidae |
| Genus: | Sphyraena |
| Species: | S. barracuda
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| Binomial name | |
| Sphyraena barracuda | |
| Synonyms | |
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List
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Sphyraena barracuda, commonly known as the great barracuda, is a species of
Distribution and habitat
The great barracuda is present in tropical to warm temperate waters, in subtropical parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, from mangrove areas to deep reef, with a lower depth limit of 110 meters.[1] They are reported to be declining in Florida, and the Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission are considering imposing catch limits.
Description
Great barracudas are large fish, and one of the largest of the Barracudas. Mature specimens are usually around 60–100 cm (24–39 in) in length and weigh 2.5–9.0 kg (5.5–19.8 lb). Exceptionally large specimens can exceed 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and weigh over 23 kg (51 lb). The record-sized specimen caught on rod-and-reel weighed 46.72 kg (103.0 lb) and measured 1.7 m (5.6 ft), while an even longer example measured 2 m (6.6 ft).[2][3][4] The largest great barracuda was said to have measured 3 m (9.8 ft).
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The Great barracuda is blue gray above, fading to silvery and chalky-white below. Sometimes, a row of darker crossbars occurs on its upper side, with black blotches on each lower side. The second dorsal fin and the anal and caudal fins range from dark violet to black with white tips.[2][3][4]
In general, barracudas are elongated fish with powerful jaws. The lower jaw of the large mouth juts out beyond the upper. Barracudas possess strong, fang-like teeth that are unequal in size and set in sockets in the jaws and on the roof of the mouth. The head is quite large and is pointed and
Behavior and biology
Barracudas appear in open seas. They are voracious predators and hunt by ambush. They rely on surprise and short bursts of speed up to 27 mph (43 km/h) to overrun their prey, sacrificing maneuverability. Barracudas are more or less solitary in their habits. Young and half-grown fish frequently congregate in shoals.
Barracudas can reach at least 14 years of age.
Relationship with humans
Barracudas are scavengers, and may mistake snorkelers for large predators, following them in hopes of eating the remains of their prey. Swimmers have been reported being bitten by barracuda, but such incidents are rare and possibly caused by poor visibility. Barracudas may mistake objects that glint and shine for prey.[7]
Barracuda attacks on humans are rare, although bites can result in lacerations and the loss of some tissue.[8] They are a popular target for recreational fishing, due to the strong fight they put up when hooked. However they are also known for the pungent odor they release upon being caught, and their meat has a chance of causing Ciguatera fish poisoning when eaten.[9][10]
References
- ^ .
- ^ a b Florida Museum of Natural History
- ^ a b c d e Marine Bio
- ^ a b Animal Spot
- ^ https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Sphyraena_barracuda/
- ^ "Texas Saltwater Fishing". texassaltwaterfishingmagazine.com. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department
- ^ The Nature Conservancy, Great Barracuda, archived from the original on 2016-09-02, retrieved 2013-12-29
- ^ Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- ^ The Human Evolution Blog: "That time I ate a barracuda and got ciguatera poisoning"; Professor Nathan H. Lents
External links
Data related to Sphyraena barracuda at Wikispecies
Media related to Sphyraena barracuda at Wikimedia Commons- Photos of Great barracuda on Sealife Collection
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