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Barracuda, Great
Spyyraena barracuda
Illustrations by: Duane Raver Click image for large version.
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Family: Barracudas (Sphyraenidae)
Barracuda, Great resources :
Rodnreel.com photos of the Barracuda, Great
Rodnreel.com reports about the Barracuda, Great
Other internet photos of the Barracuda, Great
Louisiana state records for the Barracuda, Great
Weight vs. length chart for Barracuda, Great
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Other Names : Barracuda, Cuda, Sea Pike, Great Barracuda
Range & Habitat : Great barracuda are found Gulfwide, with adults near reefs, wrecks, and oil and gas platforms in offshore waters. Great barracuda prefer waters over 68?F. Juveniles are often found in shallower waters, including bays and harbors.
Identification & Biology : This is a long slim-bodied fish with a pointed head and a strong mouthful of sharp teeth. Body color is silver with a greenish back. Between 18 and 22 oblique bars can be found on the upper sides. Most noticeable are several inky-black blotches of varying sizes and shapes on the lower sides on the rear half of the fish. Juveniles are shaped like adults, but have 7 to 12 dark vertical bars on their sides.
Great barracuda are fish predators that feed on a wide variety of fishes, both open-water species and reef species. These fish, which are solitary as adults except when spawning, appear to disinterestedly float or coast among other fishes, until they strike with a short, lighting flash. They tend to be lure-shy and difficult to induce to strike. Once hooked, they provide swift runs and jump frequently. Great barracuda mature at age 2 or 3 and over 18 inches long. They spawn during the warm summer months in offshore waters. Great barracuda are known to live 14 years and almost certainly live longer, given the great size of some individuals.
Size : Average size is 20-30 pounds for adults, with 50 pounders occurring fairly regularly. The great barracuda is known to grow to over 100 pounds.
Food Value : Very good, although in southern Florida as well as the Caribbean, the flesh is approached with caution because of the possibility of ciguatera poisoning.
Description by: Jerald Horst, Associate Professor, Fisheries - LSU AgCente
