Species profile
Great Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
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
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.