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Chevron barracuda (Sphyraena putnamae) — Sphyraenidae

Chevron barracuda

Sphyraena putnamae
Family: Sphyraenidae

The Chevron barracuda (Sphyraena putnamae) is a saltwater fish of the family Sphyraenidae that grows up to 90 cm.

Length
90 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sawtooth barracuda is a barracuda (Sphyraenidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 90 cm and has an elongate, silvery predatory body with oblique dark crossbars and a large mouth with sharp teeth. It occurs near current-swept lagoons and seaward reefs, but also in bays and turbid inner lagoons. By day it forms relatively large schools, while at night it actively hunts fishes. The species is sold fresh or processed into fish cakes. The sharp teeth can give a nasty bite; otherwise it is not venomous.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chevron barracuda?

The Chevron barracuda has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Chevron barracuda live?

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

How big does the Chevron barracuda get?

The Chevron barracuda grows to a maximum of about 90 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Chevron barracuda dangerous to humans?

No, the Chevron barracuda is harmless to humans.

Is the Chevron barracuda edible?

Yes, the Chevron barracuda is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zaagtand-barracuda sourced
English name
Chevron barracuda verified
Scientific name
Sphyraena putnamae
Family
Sphyraenidae
Other names
Chevron barracuda; Military barracuda; Military seapike verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
90.0 verified
Average length (cm)
60.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Wordt met hengel, sleeplijn en netten op roofvis bevist. sourced
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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