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Barracuda (Sphyraena borealis) — Sphyraenidae

Barracuda

Sphyraena borealis
Family: Sphyraenidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barracuda (Sphyraena borealis) is a saltwater fish of the family Sphyraenidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–65.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The northern sennet (Sphyraena borealis) is a small barracuda of the family Sphyraenidae from the western Atlantic. The species has an elongate, silvery body with a pointed head and a large mouth with sharp teeth, and reaches about 46 cm. It lives in coastal waters and often forms schools. As a fast predator it hunts smaller fishes. Unlike the large, tropical barracudas this species is small and harmless to humans. It is caught and eaten locally and is popular with anglers for its fierce strikes.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barracuda?

The Barracuda has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Barracuda live?

The Barracuda lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Barracuda get?

The Barracuda grows to a maximum of about 46 cm.

Is the Barracuda dangerous to humans?

No, the Barracuda is harmless to humans.

Is the Barracuda edible?

The Barracuda is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Noordelijke barracuda sourced
English name
Barracuda verified
Scientific name
Sphyraena borealis
Family
Sphyraenidae
Other names
Northern barracuda; Northern sennet verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
65.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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