[family Sphyraenus]
These very elongated fish are fearsome predators, with strong jaws and
sharp teeth, but very rarely attacks swimmers. They are found mostly in
tropical and subtropical seas. The photo is of a Pacific Barracuda
(Sphyraena argentea) which can grow to almost 60 inches and 26
pounds, but the Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) of the
Atlantic can get up to 72 inches and 100 pounds.
Caution: Barracuda can be
highly toxic in
tropical reef areas like Florida, the Indian Ocean, Hawaii and northern
Australia. Pacific Barracuda (S. argentea) is generally safe, as
is the European Barracuda.
more on Varieties of Fish
(very large page).
[Sphyraena argentea]
This fish is found only in the the eastern Pacific, from Alaska to the
southern tip of Baja California, Mexico, but is rare north of Point
Conception in Southern California, It can grow to almost 60 inches and
26 pounds, but the photo spcimen was 42-1/2 inches long and weigh 8-1/3
pounds. This Barracuda is very rarely a Ciguatera risk as it doesn't hang
out around reefs.
Details and Cooking.
[Mediterranean barracuda; Barracuda de Méditerranée (French);
Sphyraena sphyraena]
This predatory fish can be found from northern Spain, through the
Mediterranean and Black Sea, and down the west coast of Africa to Angola.
A few have been reported from Bermuda and Brazil. It can grow to 65 inches
(165 cm) and 26 pounds (12 kg) but is commonly 24 inches (60 cm). It is a
minor commercial catch in the region, and does not present a Ciguatera risk.
This fish can take care of itself and is IUNC Red List LC (Least Concern).
Details and Cooking.
Photo by Béotien lambda contributed to the Public Domain.
[Kuta (Nigeria); Sphyraena afra]
This predatory fish can be found from just south of Morocco all the way
around to northern Namibia. It can grow to 80 inches and 100 pounds, but
is more commonly 40 inches (100 cm). It is a minor commercial fish, caught
with low-tech fishing gear, Nigeria accounting for most of the catch.
Details and Cooking.
Photo by Jeff Camrrubi (cropped) published under license
Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial v3.0 Unported.
[Cá Nhông Vàng (Viet); Sphyraena obtusata
| very similar Yellowtail Barracuda Sphyraena
flavicauda]
Like other Barracuda, these fish are fearsome predators with strong jaws
and sharp teeth, but are small (usually less than 16 inches) and only
attack smaller prey. These are Indo-West Pacific fish. The Obtuse is
common from the east coast of Africa and the Red Sea through the Pacific
islands, possibly as far as Hawaii, and from Japan all around Australia.
The Yellowtail has a similar but slightly more restricted range. Both
these fish are harvested commercially, and are both IUCN Red List
NE (Not Evaluated). These small Barracuda are not considered a
Ciguatera risk.
Details and Cooking.