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{{Short description|Genus of fish}} |
{{Short description|Genus of fish}} |
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{{Other uses}} |
{{Other uses}} |
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{{distinguish|Barramunda}} |
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{{Automatic taxobox |
{{Automatic taxobox |
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| name = Barracuda |
| name = Barracuda |
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| fossil_range = {{fossilrange| |
| fossil_range = {{fossilrange|50|0|[[Early Eocene]] to present<ref>{{cite journal | title=A compendium of fossil marine animal genera |last=Sepkoski | first=J. |journal=Bulletins of American Paleontology |volume=363 |pages=1–560 |year=2002 |url=http://strata.ummp.lsa.umich.edu/jack/showgenera.php?taxon=611&rank=class |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723131237/http://strata.ummp.lsa.umich.edu/jack/showgenera.php?taxon=611&rank=class |archive-date=2011-07-23 }}</ref>}} |
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| image = |
| image = Barracuda with prey.jpg |
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| image_caption = ''Sphyraena barracuda'' |
| image_caption = ''Sphyraena barracuda'' with prey |
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| display_parents = 2 |
| display_parents = 2 |
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| taxon = Sphyraena |
| taxon = Sphyraena |
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| authority = [[Jacob Theodor Klein|J. T. Klein]], 1778 |
| authority = [[Jacob Theodor Klein|J. T. Klein]], 1778 |
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| parent_authority = [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque|Rafinesque]], 1815 |
| parent_authority = [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque|Rafinesque]], 1815 |
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| type_species = ''[[Sphyraena |
| type_species = ''[[Sphyraena sphyraena]]'' |
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| type_species_authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]] |
| type_species_authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]]) |
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| synonyms = *''Sphyrena'' <small>Artedi, 1793 (Missp.)</small> |
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*''Acus'' <small>Plumier in Lacépède, 1803 (Unav.)</small> |
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*''Sphyroena'' <small>Duméril, 1805 (Missp.)</small> |
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*''Sphaerina'' <small>Swainson, 1839 (Missp.)</small> |
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*''Sphraena'' <small>De Kay, 1842 (Missp.)</small> |
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*''Agrioposphyraena'' <small>Fowler, 1903</small> |
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*''Australuzza'' <small>Whitley, 1947</small> |
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*''Callosphyraena'' <small>Smith, 1956</small> |
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*''Indosphyraena'' <small>Smith, 1956</small> |
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*''Sphyraenella'' <small>Smith, 1956</small> |
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}} |
}} |
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A '''barracuda''' |
A '''barracuda''' is a large, predatory, [[Actinopterygii|ray-finned fish]] known for its fearsome appearance and ferocious behaviour. The barracuda is a saltwater [[fish]] of the [[genus]] '''''Sphyraena''''', the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae, which was named by [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque]] in 1815.<ref name = WoRMS>{{cite web | url = http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=125565 | title = Sphyraenidae Rafinesque, 1810 | access-date = 6 April 2017 | publisher = [[World Register of Marine Species]] | author = N. Bailly | year = 2015}}</ref> It is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide ranging from the eastern border of the Atlantic Ocean to the [[Red Sea]], on its western border the [[Caribbean Sea]], and in tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean. Barracudas reside near the top of the water and near coral reefs and sea grasses.<ref name="pawnation1">{{cite web |author=Millburn, N. |url=http://animals.pawnation.com/great-barracudas-diet-3678.html |title=The Great Barracuda's Diet |publisher=Animals - PawNation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203073002/http://animals.pawnation.com/great-barracudas-diet-3678.html |archive-date=2013-12-03 }}</ref> Barracudas are targeted by [[Recreational fishing|sport-fishing]] enthusiasts. |
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== Etymology == |
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The common name "barracuda" is derived from [[Spanish language|Spanish]], with the original word being of possibly [[Cariban languages|Cariban]] origin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=barracuda {{!}} Origin and meaning of barracuda by Online Etymology Dictionary |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/barracuda |access-date=2021-06-05 |website=www.etymonline.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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== Description == |
== Description == |
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[[Image:barracuda laban.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Great barracuda hovering in the current at the Paradise Reef, [[Cozumel]], Mexico|alt=Photo of barracuda with coral swimming above coral]] |
[[Image:barracuda laban.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Great barracuda hovering in the current at the Paradise Reef, [[Cozumel]], Mexico|alt=Photo of barracuda with coral swimming above coral]] |
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Barracuda are snake-like in appearance, with prominent, sharp-edged, [[fang]]-like teeth, much like [[piranha]], all of different sizes, set in [[tooth socket|sockets]] of their large jaws. They have large, pointed heads with an underbite in many species. Their gill covers have no spines and are covered with small [[Scale (zoology)|scales]]. Their two [[dorsal fin]]s are widely separated, with the anterior fin having five spines, and the posterior fin having one spine and |
Barracuda are snake-like in appearance, with prominent, sharp-edged, [[fang]]-like teeth, much like [[piranha]], all of different sizes, set in [[tooth socket|sockets]] of their large jaws. They have large, pointed heads with an underbite in many species. Their gill covers have no spines and are covered with small [[Scale (zoology)|scales]]. Their two [[dorsal fin]]s are widely separated, with the anterior fin having five spines, and the posterior fin having one spine and nine soft rays. The posterior dorsal fin is similar in size to the [[anal fin]] and is situated above it. The [[lateral line]] is prominent and extends straight from head to tail. The spinous dorsal fin is placed above the [[pelvic fin]]s and is normally retracted in a groove. The [[caudal fin]] is moderately forked with its posterior edge double-curved and is set at the end of a stout [[Caudal peduncle|peduncle]]. The [[pectoral fins]] are placed low on the sides. The [[swim bladder]] is large, allowing for minimal energy expenditure while cruising or remaining idle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/animal/barracuda-fish|title=Barracuda {{!}} fish|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> |
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In most cases, barracuda are dark gray, dark green, white, or blue on the upper body, with silvery sides and a chalky-white belly. Coloration varies somewhat between species. For some species, irregular black spots or a row of darker cross-bars occur on each side. Their fins may be yellowish or dusky. Barracudas live primarily in oceans, but certain species, such as the great barracuda, live in [[brackish water]]. Due to similarities, sometimes Barracuda is compared with freshwater [[Esox| |
In most cases, barracuda are dark gray, dark green, white, or blue on the upper body, with silvery sides and a chalky-white belly. Coloration varies somewhat between species. For some species, irregular black spots or a row of darker cross-bars occur on each side. Their fins may be yellowish or dusky. Barracudas live primarily in oceans, but certain species, such as the great barracuda, live in [[brackish water]]. Due to similarities, sometimes Barracuda is compared with freshwater [[Esox|pike]], though the major difference between the two is that Barracuda has two separate [[dorsal fin]]s with a forked tail, unlike the freshwater pike.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Davis|first1=Buddy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x_ayMdTnYpUC&q=Barracuda+%22freshwater+pike%22&pg=PA9|title=Sensational Sea Creatures|last2=Davis|first2=Kay|date=2006|publisher=New Leaf Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-89051-458-0|language=en}}</ref> |
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Some species grow quite large (up to 65 inches or 165 cm in length),<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fischer|first1=W.|title=Guide Fao d'Identification des Espèces pour les Besoins de la Pêche Volume 2: Vertébrés|date=1987|publisher=Laboratoire d’Ichtyologie générale et appliquée Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle|location=Rome|pages=ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/x0170f/x0170f82.pdf|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/x0170f/x0170f00.htm}}</ref> such as ''Sphyraena sphyraena'', found in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and eastern [[Atlantic]]; ''Sphyraena picudilla'', ranging on the Atlantic coast of tropical America from [[North Carolina]] to Brazil and reaching [[Bermuda]]. Other barracuda species are found around the world. Examples are ''Sphyraena argentea'', found from [[Puget Sound]] southwards to [[Cabo San Lucas]], ''Sphyraena jello'', from the seas of India and the [[Malay Peninsula]] and Archipelago. |
Some species grow quite large (up to 65 inches or 165 cm in length),<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fischer|first1=W.|title=Guide Fao d'Identification des Espèces pour les Besoins de la Pêche Volume 2: Vertébrés|date=1987|publisher=Laboratoire d’Ichtyologie générale et appliquée Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle|location=Rome|pages=ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/x0170f/x0170f82.pdf|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/x0170f/x0170f00.htm}}</ref> such as ''Sphyraena sphyraena'', found in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and eastern [[Atlantic]]; ''Sphyraena picudilla'', ranging on the Atlantic coast of tropical America from [[North Carolina]] to Brazil and reaching [[Bermuda]]. Other barracuda species are found around the world. Examples are ''Sphyraena argentea'', found from [[Puget Sound]] southwards to [[Cabo San Lucas]], ''Sphyraena jello'', from the seas of India and the [[Malay Peninsula]] and Archipelago. |
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* ''[[Sharpfin barracuda|Sphyraena acutipinnis]]'' <small>[[Francis Day|F. Day]], 1876</small> (Sharpfin barracuda) |
* ''[[Sharpfin barracuda|Sphyraena acutipinnis]]'' <small>[[Francis Day|F. Day]], 1876</small> (Sharpfin barracuda) |
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* ''[[Sphyraena afra]]'' <small>[[Wilhelm Karl Hartwich Peters|W. K. H. Peters]], 1844</small> (Guinean barracuda) |
* ''[[Sphyraena afra]]'' <small>[[Wilhelm Karl Hartwich Peters|W. K. H. Peters]], 1844</small> (Guinean barracuda) |
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* ''[[Sphyraena arabiansis]]'' <small>E. M. Abdussamad, [[Thaichira Bahuleyan Ratheesh|Ratheesh]], [[Ramachandran Thangaraja|Thangaraja]], [[Kinattum Kara Bineesh|Bineesh]] & D. Prakashan, 2015</small> (Arabian barracuda) |
* ''[[Sphyraena arabiansis]]'' <small>E. M. Abdussamad, [[Thaichira Bahuleyan Ratheesh|Ratheesh]], [[Ramachandran Thangaraja|Thangaraja]], [[Kinattum Kara Bineesh|Bineesh]] & D. Prakashan, 2015</small> (Arabian barracuda)<ref name=Abdussamad2015>{{cite journal |author=Abdussamad, E.M. |author2=Retheesh, T.B. |author3=Thangaraja, R. |author4=Bineesh, K.K. |author5=Prakashan, D. | year = 2015 | title = ''Sphyraena arabiansis'' a new species of barracuda (Family: Sphyraenidae) from the south-west coast of India | journal = Indian Journal of Fisheries | volume = 62 | issue = 2 | pages = 1–6 | url = http://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJF/article/view/36405/21464 }}</ref> |
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* ''[[Pacific barracuda|Sphyraena argentea]]'' <small>[[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], 1854</small> (Pacific barracuda) |
* ''[[Pacific barracuda|Sphyraena argentea]]'' <small>[[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], 1854</small> (Pacific barracuda) |
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* ''[[Great barracuda|Sphyraena barracuda]]'' <small>([[George Edwards (naturalist)|G. Edwards]], 1771)</small> (Great barracuda) |
* ''[[Great barracuda|Sphyraena barracuda]]'' <small>([[George Edwards (naturalist)|G. Edwards]], 1771)</small> (Great barracuda) |
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* ''[[Sphyraena iburiensis]]'' <small>[[Ryu Doiuchi|Doiuchi]] & [[Tetsuji Nakabo|Nakabo]], 2005</small> |
* ''[[Sphyraena iburiensis]]'' <small>[[Ryu Doiuchi|Doiuchi]] & [[Tetsuji Nakabo|Nakabo]], 2005</small> |
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* ''[[Sphyraena idiastes]]'' <small>[[Edmund Heller|Heller]] & [[Robert Evans Snodgrass|Snodgrass]], 1903</small> (Pelican barracuda) |
* ''[[Sphyraena idiastes]]'' <small>[[Edmund Heller|Heller]] & [[Robert Evans Snodgrass|Snodgrass]], 1903</small> (Pelican barracuda) |
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* ''[[Sphyraena intermedia]]'' <small>[[Michele A. Pastore|Pastore]], 2009</small> |
* ''[[Sphyraena intermedia]]'' <small>[[Michele A. Pastore|Pastore]], 2009</small><ref>{{cite journal | journal = Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom | volume = 89 | issue = 6 | year = 2009 | pages = 1299–1303 | title = ''Sphyraena intermedia'' sp. nov. (Pisces: Sphyraenidae): a potential new species of barracuda identified from the central Mediterranean Sea | author = Pastore, M.A. | doi=10.1017/s0025315409000575| s2cid = 83523327 }}</ref> |
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* ''[[Sphyraena japonica]]'' <small>[[Marcus Elieser Bloch|Bloch]] & [[Johann Gottlob Schneider|J. G. Schneider]], 1801</small> (Japanese barracuda) |
* ''[[Sphyraena japonica]]'' <small>[[Marcus Elieser Bloch|Bloch]] & [[Johann Gottlob Schneider|J. G. Schneider]], 1801</small> (Japanese barracuda) |
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* ''[[Sphyraena jello]]'' <small>[[Georges Cuvier|G. Cuvier]], 1829</small> (Pickhandle barracuda) |
* ''[[Sphyraena jello]]'' <small>[[Georges Cuvier|G. Cuvier]], 1829</small> (Pickhandle barracuda) |
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* ''[[Sphyraena viridensis]]'' <small>[[Georges Cuvier|G. Cuvier]], 1829</small> (Yellowmouth barracuda) |
* ''[[Sphyraena viridensis]]'' <small>[[Georges Cuvier|G. Cuvier]], 1829</small> (Yellowmouth barracuda) |
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* ''[[Sphyraena waitii]]'' <small>[[William Ogilby|W. Ogilby]], 1908</small> |
* ''[[Sphyraena waitii]]'' <small>[[William Ogilby|W. Ogilby]], 1908</small> |
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[[File:Sphyraena bolcensis 34.JPG|thumb|''Sphyraena bolcensis'', the earliest known fossil barracuda]]The following fossil species are also known:<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Ballen |first=Gustavo A. |date=2019-10-16 |title=Nomenclature of the Sphyraenidae (Teleostei: Carangaria): A synthesis of fossil- and extant-based classification systems |url=https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4686.3.5 |journal=Zootaxa |language=en |volume=4686 |issue=3 |pages=397–408 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4686.3.5 |issn=1175-5334}}</ref> |
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* †[[Sphyraena amici|“''Sphyraena''” ''amici'']] <small>[[Louis Agassiz|Agassiz]], 1843</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena bognorensis]]'' <small>Casier, 1966</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena bolcensis]]'' <small>[[Louis Agassiz|Agassiz]], 1844</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena crassidens]]'' <small>[[Lieven Ferdinand de Beaufort|de Beaufort]], 1926</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena croatica]]'' <small>[[Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger|Gorjanović-Kramberger]], 1882</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena cunhai]]'' <small>da Silva Santos & Travassos, 1960</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena egleri]]'' <small>da Silva Santos & Travassos, 1960</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena fajumensis]]'' <small>(Dames, 1883)</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena hansfuchsi]]'' <small>(Schubert, 1906)</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena intermedia]]'' <small>Bassani, 1889</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena kugleri]]'' <small>Casier, 1966</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena longimana]]'' <small>[[Camille Arambourg|Arambourg]], 1966</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena lugardi]]'' <small>[[Errol White|White]], 1926</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena major]]'' <small>Leidy, 1855</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena malembeensis]]'' <small>Dartevelle & Casier, 1943</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena pannonica]]'' <small>Weiler, 1938</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena senni]]'' <small>Casier, 1966</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena sternbergensis]]'' <small>Winkler, 1875</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena striata]]'' <small>Casier, 1946</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena substriata]]'' <small>(Münster, 1846)</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena suessi]]'' <small>Gorjanović-Kramberger, 1882</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena tsengi]]'' <small>Tao, 1993</small><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tao |first=Hsi-Jen |date=1993-06-30 |title=A New Miocene Fossil Fish Sphyraena tsengi (Pisces: Perciformes) from Taiwan |url=https://www.airitilibrary.com/Article/Detail/P20181016001-199306-201810160009-201810160009-27-41 |journal=臺灣省立博物館半年刊 |volume=46 |issue=1 |pages=27–41 |doi=10.6532/JTM.199306_46(1).0004}}</ref> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena tyrolensis]]'' <small>von Meyer, 1863</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena viannai]]'' <small>Dartevelle & Casier, 1949</small> |
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* †[[Sphyraena viennensis|“''Sphyraena''” ''viennensis'']] <small>[[Franz Steindachner|Steindachner]], 1859</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena weberi]]'' <small>Leriche, 1954</small> |
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* †''[[Sphyraena winkleri]]'' <small>Lawley, 1876</small> |
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A related fossil genus, ''[[Parasphyraena]]'', is known from the Miocene of [[Azerbaijan]].<ref name=":0" /> |
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==Behavior and diet== |
==Behavior and diet== |
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Barracudas are ferocious, opportunistic [[predator]]s, relying on surprise and short bursts of speed, up to {{convert|27|mph|km/h|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web |author=Martin, R.A. |title=What's the Speediest Marine Creature? |url= http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/topics/r_haulin'_bass.htm |publisher= ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research}}</ref> to overtake their prey. |
Barracudas are ferocious, opportunistic [[predator]]s, relying on surprise and short bursts of speed, up to {{convert|27|mph|km/h|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web |author=Martin, R.A. |title=What's the Speediest Marine Creature? |url= http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/topics/r_haulin'_bass.htm |publisher= ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research}}</ref> to overtake their prey. |
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Adults of most species are more or less solitary, while young and half-grown fish frequently congregate. |
Adults of most species are more or less solitary, while young and half-grown fish frequently congregate. |
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Barracudas prey primarilyonfish (which may include some as largeasthemselves). Common prey fish include [[Carangidae|jacks]], [[Haemulidae|grunts]], [[Grouper|groupers]], [[Lutjanidae|snappers]], small [[tuna]]s, [[Mullet (fish)|mullets]], [[killifish]]es, [[herring]]s, and [[Anchovy|anchovies]]; often by simply biting them in half.<ref name="atlanticpanic1">{{cite web|url=http://www.atlanticpanic.com/species/view/barracuda |title=Barracuda Fish Facts |publisher=AtlanticPanic}}</ref> They kill and consume larger prey by tearing chunks out of their prey. They also seem to consume smaller species of sustenance that are in front of them. Barracuda species are often seen competing against [[mackerel]], [[needle fish]] and sometimes even [[dolphins]] for prey.<ref name="pawnation1"/> |
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Barracudas are usually found swimming in saltwater searching for schools of plankton-feeding fish. Their silver and elongated bodies make them difficult for prey to detect, |
Barracudas are usually found swimming in saltwater searching for schools of plankton-feeding fish. Their silver and elongated bodies make them difficult for prey to detect, especially when viewed head-on. Barracudas depend heavily on their eyesight when they are out hunting. When hunting, they tend to notice everything that has an unusual color, reflection, or movement. Once a barracuda targets an intended prey item, its long tail and matching anal and dorsal fins enable it to move with swift bursts of speed to attack its prey before it can escape. Barracudas generally attack schools of fish, speeding at them head first and biting at them with their jaws. When barracudas age, they tend to swim alone. However, there are times when they tend to stay with the pack. Barracudas will sometimes swim in groups. In this case, they can relocate schools of fish into compact areas or lead them into shallow water to more easily feed on them.{{cn|date=August 2022}} |
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=== Interactions with humans === |
=== Interactions with humans === |
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Some species of barracuda are reputed to be dangerous to swimmers. Barracudas are scavengers, and may mistake |
Some species of barracuda are reputed to be dangerous to swimmers. Barracudas are scavengers, and may mistake snorkelers for large predators, following them hoping to eat the remains of their prey. Swimmers have reported being bitten by barracudas, but such incidents are rare and possibly caused by poor visibility. Large barracudas can be encountered in muddy shallows on rare occasion. Barracudas may mistake things that glint and shine for prey.<ref name="flmnh">{{cite web |url=http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/GreatBarracuda/GreatBarracuda.html |publisher=Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department |author=Bester, C. |title=Great barracuda |access-date=2009-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126105712/http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/greatbarracuda/greatbarracuda.html |archive-date=2016-01-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> One incident reported a barracuda jumping out of water and injuring a kayaker,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69H4C320101018 |title=Jumping barracuda injures kayaker off Florida Keys |newspaper=Reuters |author=Fletcher, p. |editor=Marshall, J. |date=2010}}</ref> but Jason Schratwieser, conservation director of the [[International Game Fish Association]], said that the wound could have been caused by a [[houndfish]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Fleshler, D.|author2=Ortega, J.|title=Leaping fish punctures lung of woman kayaking in Keys|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-10-18/news/fl-barracuda-bite-20101018_1_kayaking-big-fish-houndfish|newspaper=Sun Sentinel|date=2010|access-date=2014-04-13|archive-date=2014-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414065022/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-10-18/news/fl-barracuda-bite-20101018_1_kayaking-big-fish-houndfish|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Fatalities are nevertheless rare. Deaths have been reported in 1947, 1957 and 1960 in Florida. <ref>https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/sphyraena-barracuda/#:~:text=Fatalities%20from%20barracuda%20attacks%20are,Pompano%20Beach%2C%20Florida%20in%201960.</ref> |
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== As food == |
== As food == |
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[[West Africa]]ns [[Smoking (cooking)|smoke]] them for use in [[soup]]s and [[sauce]]s. Smoking protects the soft flesh from disintegrating in the broth and gives it a smoky flavour. |
[[West Africa]]ns [[Smoking (cooking)|smoke]] them for use in [[soup]]s and [[sauce]]s. Smoking protects the soft flesh from disintegrating in the broth and gives it a smoky flavour. |
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==In popular culture== |
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The barracuda prominently appeared in the 2003 [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney]]/[[Pixar]] [[animated]] film ''[[Finding Nemo]]'', in the beginning of the film, when it attacks the two [[common clownfish|clownfish]] Marlin ([[Albert Brooks]]), Coral ([[Elizabeth Perkins]]), Nemo ([[Alexander Gould]]) and their [[Fish egg|egg]]s who lives in the [[sea anemone]] by the [[cliff|drop off]] in the [[Great Barrier Reef]] in Australia. Before the [[opening titles|main titles]] in the film and in the [[Blu-ray#Blu-ray 3D|3D]] version release in 2012, the barracuda closes its [[fish teeth|teeth]] and the bottom [[lip]] is shown in the film. (The same barracuda also appeared as an [[easter egg (media)|easter egg]] in the 2019 Disney/Pixar animated film ''[[Toy Story 4]]''. It was stuffed and mounted in display in the Second Chances [[antique store]].){{citation needed|date=January 2022}} |
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"[[Barracuda (song)|Barracuda"]] is the title of a 1977 hit song by American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Heart (band)|Heart]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rath|first=Zoë|date=2016|title=Hit Songs Deconstructed|journal=Notes|volume=73|issue=2|pages=327–330|doi=10.1353/not.2016.0142|s2cid=191805608|issn=1534-150X}}</ref> |
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The ''[[Pokémon]]'' Arrokuda and its evolution Barraskewda (both introduced to the franchise in ''[[Pokémon Sword and Shield]]'') are based on the barracuda. |
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The [[Plymouth Barracuda]] is a two-door [[pony car]] that was manufactured by [[Plymouth (automobile)|Plymouth]] from 1964 to 1974. |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Game fish]] |
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[[Category:Sphyraenidae| ]] |
[[Category:Sphyraenidae| ]] |
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[[Category:Taxa named by Jacob Theodor Klein]] |
[[Category:Taxa named by Jacob Theodor Klein]] |
Barracuda
Temporal range: Early Eocene to present[1]
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Sphyraena barracuda with prey | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Istiophoriformes |
Family: | Sphyraenidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
Genus: | Sphyraena J. T. Klein, 1778 |
Type species | |
Sphyraena sphyraena | |
Synonyms | |
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Abarracuda is a large, predatory, ray-finned fish known for its fearsome appearance and ferocious behaviour. The barracuda is a saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae, which was named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815.[2] It is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide ranging from the eastern border of the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, on its western border the Caribbean Sea, and in tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean. Barracudas reside near the top of the water and near coral reefs and sea grasses.[3] Barracudas are targeted by sport-fishing enthusiasts.
The common name "barracuda" is derived from Spanish, with the original word being of possibly Cariban origin.[4]
Barracuda are snake-like in appearance, with prominent, sharp-edged, fang-like teeth, much like piranha, all of different sizes, set in sockets of their large jaws. They have large, pointed heads with an underbite in many species. Their gill covers have no spines and are covered with small scales. Their two dorsal fins are widely separated, with the anterior fin having five spines, and the posterior fin having one spine and nine soft rays. The posterior dorsal fin is similar in size to the anal fin and is situated above it. The lateral line is prominent and extends straight from head to tail. The spinous dorsal fin is placed above the pelvic fins and is normally retracted in a groove. The caudal fin is moderately forked with its posterior edge double-curved and is set at the end of a stout peduncle. The pectoral fins are placed low on the sides. The swim bladder is large, allowing for minimal energy expenditure while cruising or remaining idle.[5]
In most cases, barracuda are dark gray, dark green, white, or blue on the upper body, with silvery sides and a chalky-white belly. Coloration varies somewhat between species. For some species, irregular black spots or a row of darker cross-bars occur on each side. Their fins may be yellowish or dusky. Barracudas live primarily in oceans, but certain species, such as the great barracuda, live in brackish water. Due to similarities, sometimes Barracuda is compared with freshwater pike, though the major difference between the two is that Barracuda has two separate dorsal fins with a forked tail, unlike the freshwater pike.[6]
Some species grow quite large (up to 65 inches or 165 cm in length),[7] such as Sphyraena sphyraena, found in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic; Sphyraena picudilla, ranging on the Atlantic coast of tropical America from North Carolina to Brazil and reaching Bermuda. Other barracuda species are found around the world. Examples are Sphyraena argentea, found from Puget Sound southwards to Cabo San Lucas, Sphyraena jello, from the seas of India and the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago.
The barracuda genus Sphyraena contains 29 species:[8]
The following fossil species are also known:[11]
A related fossil genus, Parasphyraena, is known from the Miocene of Azerbaijan.[11]
Barracudas are ferocious, opportunistic predators, relying on surprise and short bursts of speed, up to 27 mph (43 km/h),[13] to overtake their prey.
Adults of most species are more or less solitary, while young and half-grown fish frequently congregate.
Barracudas prey primarily on fish (which may include some as large as themselves). Common prey fish include jacks, grunts, groupers, snappers, small tunas, mullets, killifishes, herrings, and anchovies; often by simply biting them in half.[14] They kill and consume larger prey by tearing chunks out of their prey. They also seem to consume smaller species of sustenance that are in front of them. Barracuda species are often seen competing against mackerel, needle fish and sometimes even dolphins for prey.[3]
Barracudas are usually found swimming in saltwater searching for schools of plankton-feeding fish. Their silver and elongated bodies make them difficult for prey to detect, especially when viewed head-on. Barracudas depend heavily on their eyesight when they are out hunting. When hunting, they tend to notice everything that has an unusual color, reflection, or movement. Once a barracuda targets an intended prey item, its long tail and matching anal and dorsal fins enable it to move with swift bursts of speed to attack its prey before it can escape. Barracudas generally attack schools of fish, speeding at them head first and biting at them with their jaws. When barracudas age, they tend to swim alone. However, there are times when they tend to stay with the pack. Barracudas will sometimes swim in groups. In this case, they can relocate schools of fish into compact areas or lead them into shallow water to more easily feed on them.[citation needed]
Some species of barracuda are reputed to be dangerous to swimmers. Barracudas are scavengers, and may mistake snorkelers for large predators, following them hoping to eat the remains of their prey. Swimmers have reported being bitten by barracudas, but such incidents are rare and possibly caused by poor visibility. Large barracudas can be encountered in muddy shallows on rare occasion. Barracudas may mistake things that glint and shine for prey.[15] One incident reported a barracuda jumping out of water and injuring a kayaker,[16] but Jason Schratwieser, conservation director of the International Game Fish Association, said that the wound could have been caused by a houndfish.[17] Fatalities are nevertheless rare. Deaths have been reported in 1947, 1957 and 1960 in Florida. [18]
Barracudas are popular both as food and game fish. They are most often eaten as fillets or steaks. Larger species, such as the great barracuda, have been implicated in cases of ciguatera food poisoning.[19] Those who have been diagnosed with this type of food poisoning display symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort, limb weakness, and an inability to differentiate hot from cold effectively.[14]
West Africans smoke them for use in soups and sauces. Smoking protects the soft flesh from disintegrating in the broth and gives it a smoky flavour.
Sphyraena |
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Sphyraenidae |
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Authority control databases: National ![]() |
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