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Lucas barracuda (Sphyraena lucasana) — Sphyraenidae

Lucas barracuda

Sphyraena lucasana
Family: Sphyraenidae

The Lucas barracuda (Sphyraena lucasana) is a saltwater fish of the family Sphyraenidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
May bite
Range
North America: Mexico
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Lucas barracuda is a barracuda (Sphyraenidae) from coastal and reef water of the eastern Pacific, especially the Gulf of California. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate, silvery, torpedo-shaped body with a pointed head and a lower jaw with large, sharp teeth. As a fast predator it hunts small fish and squid in schools. With its powerful jaws and teeth it can give a serious bite when handled; in the water it is not interested in people.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lucas barracuda?

The Lucas barracuda has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey. Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.

Where does the Lucas barracuda live?

The Lucas barracuda lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. North America: Mexico

How big does the Lucas barracuda get?

The Lucas barracuda grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.

Is the Lucas barracuda dangerous to humans?

The Lucas barracuda can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. For a bite: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, stop the bleeding with pressure and cover with a sterile dressing. A fish bite easily becomes infected; clean it carefully and for a deep or extensive wound see a doctor and check tetanus protection.

Is the Lucas barracuda edible?

Yes, the Lucas barracuda is commonly eaten.

More photos

Lucas barracuda (Sphyraena lucasana) — Sphyraenidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lucas barracuda (Sphyraena lucasana) — Sphyraenidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) bgmooaz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lucas barracuda (Sphyraena lucasana) — Sphyraenidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) sazimmermann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lucas barracuda (Sphyraena lucasana) — Sphyraenidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Álvaro San José Elizundia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Lucas barracuda sourced
Scientific name
Sphyraena lucasana
Family
Sphyraenidae
Other names
Gulf barracuda; Lucas barracuda; Cortez barracuda verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
70.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite verified
First aid
For a bite: rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water, stop the bleeding with pressure and cover with a sterile dressing. A fish bite easily becomes infected; clean it carefully and for a deep or extensive wound see a doctor and check tetanus protection. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sphyraena

More from the family Sphyraenidae

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