Species profile
Great Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
Identify Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 2,557 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Hawaii, and North Carolina the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Great Barracudas can reach over 6 feet in length and weigh more than 100 pounds.
- They sprint at speeds up to 35 mph, making them one of the fastest hunters in the ocean.
- Their fang-like teeth interlock precisely, letting them slice through prey with a single strike.
- Large individuals can accumulate ciguatoxin; eating big barracudas is generally not recommended.
- They are strongly attracted to shiny objects, which they apparently mistake for the flash of small fish.
Where Great Barracuda are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Great Barracuda
Background
The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) also known as the giant barracuda, is a common species of barracuda found in subtropical oceans around the world. It is a type of ray-finned fish.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Great Barracuda article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Great Barracuda?
Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Great Barracuda?
Great Barracuda is Sphyraena barracuda.
Is Great Barracuda regulated for fishing?
Yes — Great Barracuda has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Great Barracuda?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Great Barracuda along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.