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FishBase

Family Sphyraenidae - Barracudas

Order:

Perciformes

Class:

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

No. of Genera:

No. of Species:

Environment:

Fresh: No Brackish: No Marine: Yes

Aquarium:

none

First Fossil Record:

lower Tertiary, lower Eocene Ref.: Berg, L.S..1958

Remark:

Tropical and subtropical. Distribution: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Elongated body. Large-mouthed with the lower jaw projecting forward bearing strong fanglike teeth. Upper jaw non-protractile, an adaptation to feeding on large prey. Well-developed lateral line. Gill rakers vestigial. Position of pectoral fins relatively low. Dorsal fins far apart. First dorsal fin with 5 spines; second dorsal with 1 spine and 9 soft rays. Vertebrae 24 (11+13). Usually to 1.8 m maximum length; could grow longer. Voracious predators of other fishes. Attacks on humans have been reported. Pelagic spawning in schools. Food and game fishes, but large specimens may be ciguatoxic.

Etymology:

Greek, sphyraina = a fish similar to an iron pin, a pike like fish, 1849 ( Ref. 45335).

Division:

Marine

Reproductive guild:

nonguarders

Typical activity level:

active

Main Ref.:

Nelson, J.S..1984

Coordinator:

Show species | Nominal species list for Sphyraenidae | Identification keys | CAS specimen photos | References

Update \| Add new Family	Ref.:				Glossary
		( e.g. 9948)				( e.g. cephalopods)