Great barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
(Walbaum, 1792)
Description:
Body long, cylindrical and silvery, usually with scattered dark blotches on the lower sides. Can darken, showing side bands, Dorsal fins widely separated. Tail fin double emarginate with pale tips on each lobe. Top of head between eyes flat or concave. Mouth large, with a large underslung jaw; pointed teeth often obvious (S. barracuda adult).
Size up to 2 m.
Habitat:
Found predominantly at or near the surface, but is observed to a depth of 100 m. Juveniles occur among mangroves, estuaries and sheltered inner reef areas (S. barracuda juvenile), adults occur in a wide range of habitats from murky inner harbors to open seas. Diurnal and solitary, but can be seen in small aggregations. Feeds on fish, cephalopods and sometimes on shrimps.
Distribution:
Common Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean.