Great barracuda

species of Actinopterygii

The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is a species of barracuda found in tropical waters of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. They are disappearing in Florida.

Great barracuda
Great barracuda hovering in the current at Paradise Reef, Cozumel, Mexico
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Istiophoriformes
Family: Sphyraenidae
Genus: Sphyraena
Species:
S. barracuda
Binomial name
Sphyraena barracuda
(Edwards in Catesby, 1771)
Synonyms
List
  • Sphyraena barracuda Walbaum, 1792
  • Agrioposphyraena barracuda (Walbaum, 1792)
  • Esox barracuda Walbaum, 1792
  • Esox barracuda Edwards, 1771
  • Sphyraena becuna Lacepède, 1803
  • Sphyraena commersonii Cuvier, 1829
  • Sphyraena dussumieri Valenciennes, 1831
  • Sphyraena picuda Bloch & Schneider, 1801
  • Sphyraena sphyraena picuda Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Description

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The great barracuda are large, usually around 60–100 cm (24–39 in) in length. It is blue-gray above and becomes pale gray below. They have strong, pointed teeth. The head is pointed, making it look like a pike. The caudal fin is forked. The gill covers don't have spines.

The largest great barracuda measured 3 m (9.8 ft).

With humans

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Great barracudas sometimes attack humans, but these are usually rare.

References

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  1. Aiken, K.A.; Dooley, J.; Marechal, J.; Pina Amargos, F.; Russell, B.; Singh-Renton, S. (2017) [errata version of 2015 assessment]. "Sphyraena barracuda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T190399A115319634. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T190399A15603115.en.

Other websites

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