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Blunt barracuda (Sphyraena obtusata) — Sphyraenidae

Blunt barracuda

Sphyraena obtusata
Family: Sphyraenidae

The Blunt barracuda (Sphyraena obtusata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Sphyraenidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
5.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The obtuse barracuda is a barracuda of the family Sphyraenidae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 55 cm and has an elongate, silvery, torpedo-shaped body with a large mouth full of sharp teeth and a slightly blunter snout than other barracudas. It inhabits bays and estuaries and forms schools in seagrass beds and around rocky reefs. As a fast predator it hunts small schooling fishes and shrimps. The obtuse barracuda is a valued food fish. The razor-sharp teeth can cause cuts when handling, so keep fingers away from the mouth.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blunt barracuda?

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

Where does the Blunt barracuda live?

The Blunt barracuda lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blunt barracuda get?

The Blunt barracuda grows to a maximum of about 55 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Blunt barracuda dangerous to humans?

No, the Blunt barracuda is harmless to humans.

Is the Blunt barracuda edible?

Yes, the Blunt barracuda is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stompsnuit-barracuda sourced
English name
Blunt barracuda verified
Scientific name
Sphyraena obtusata
Family
Sphyraenidae
Other names
Blunt jawed sea pike; Bluntjaw sea pike; Blunt-jawed seapike; Dark-finned sea-pike; Green-and-gold sea-pike verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 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
Commonly 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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