Barracuda, Guinean Sphyraena afra

Peters, 1844

SPHYRAENIDAE FAMILY
Also called Guinese-barrakuda, bicuda-da-Guiné, becuda, bicuda-da-Guiné

This fish occurs in tropical waters of the Eastern Atlantic, from Mauritania to Namibia. It is found along the continental shelf and commonly enters lagoons and estuaries. Generally smaller fish are sometimes found in schools, however adults are generally solitary.

The sides are marked with about 20 dark, largely open chevrons that angle forward, these markings become less distinct in large specimens. There are no white tips on the fins, or black blotches on the body. Other distinguishing characteristics; the bony edge of the opercle ends in 2 points, the dorsal fin origin is distinctly behind the level of pelvic fin origins. The strong, pointed teeth are contiguous, flattened, those of the lower jaw erect, never slanting backward. Scales are small, 122 to 140 lateral line pores.

Guinean barracuda reportedly grows to 6.7 ft (205 cm) and attains a weight of 110.2 lb (50.0 kg). The temperament and fishing methods are similar to the great barracuda (see above description).

This species is considered to be a good food fish and has never been reported to be ciguatoxic. As an additional note; there are no documented reports of ciguatera from any Sphyraena species from the Eastern Central Atlantic

Barracuda, great Sphyraena barracuda

Walbaum, 1792

SPHYRAENIDAE FAMILY
Also called cuda, sea pike, giant sea pike

Occurs in all tropical seas except the East Pacific. Found offshore and inshore around reefs, piers, wrecks, sandy and grassy flats, and wherever smaller fish congregate. Smaller barracudas sometimes school, but the large ones are almost invariably loners.

The first dorsal fin has 5 spines; the second, 10 soft rays. The first rays of the second dorsal and anal fins reach to or beyond the tips of the last rays when the fins are depressed. There are 75 90 scales along the lateral line. The preopercle is rounded. The maxilla extends back as far as the eyes. The adult great barracuda has irregular black blotches on the lower flanks, especially near the tail. It is the only species of barracuda that has blotches.

The barracuda eats whatever is available. Its habit of “tagging along” with divers while opening and closing its mouth has given more than one diver the faith to walk on water; nevertheless, barracudas do not usually attack unless speared or provoked. The barracuda should be regarded as dangerous because of its ability to inflict serious injury, in or out of water.

Fishing methods include trolling with plugs, spoons, and prepared baits; live bait fishing with small fishes; casting and retrieving live and strip baits as well as plugs and spoons. The cast should not land too near the barracuda, but should be retrieved past it at a fast, erratic speed.

The great barracuda leads a list of tropical marine fishes suspected of causing ciguatera poisoning when eaten. The poison is caused by a microscopic plant (a dinoflagellate organism) eaten by smaller fishes and passed on in the food chain. The toxin can only be detected in laboratory tests

Barracuda, Pacific Sphyraena argentea

Girard, 1854

SPHYRAENIDAE FAMILY


Pacific barracuda are easily recognized by their long, silvery bodies, widely spaced dorsal fins and a mouth full of sharp, pointed teeth. Pacific barracuda do not reach the large sizes of their relative, the great barracuda but are spirited fighters in their own right. They are found from Central America to as far north as Alaska during extreme warm water episodes. However, they are generally rare north of Point Conception, California. Like other barracudas, they are highly active piscivores that consume a variety of smaller fish species. They are typically found near shore in small groups and often around reefs, kelp and other structure.