Great Barracuda vs Smallmouth Bass
Sphyraena barracuda compared with Micropterus dolomieu
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Great Barracuda | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sphyraena barracuda | Micropterus dolomieu |
| Order | Perciformes | Centrarchiformes |
| Family | Sphyraenidae | Centrarchidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Great Barracuda | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 200.0 cm | 69.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 50.0 kg | 5.4 kg |
| Color | Steel-gray to dark gunmetal-blue back with a pale silvery-white belly; scattered irregular dark blotches on the lower flanks; tail fin is grayish with whitish tips on both lobes. | Bronze-green to golden-brown body with 13–15 irregular dark brown vertical bars or blotches on the flanks; red-orange eyes; belly pale cream; dark brown radiating lines from eye to snout. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Great Barracuda | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Freshwater |
| Depth Range | 0-100m | 1-7m |
| Geographic Range | Circumtropical in shallow coastal waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Frequents coral reefs, seagrass beds, and estuaries from Florida and the Caribbean to … | Native to the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes drainage south through the Ohio River system and upper Mississippi basin. Prefers clear, cool, rocky streams … |
| Habitat | Pelagic, coral reefs, estuaries | Clear, cool rivers and streams of eastern North America from the Great Lakes to Tennessee. Prefers rocky and gravelly substrate in moderate to fast current. … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Great Barracuda | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Great Barracuda
Firm, lean white flesh with a mild flavor when small; larger individuals risk ciguatera fish poisoning and are generally avoided. Smaller fish eaten grilled or fried in the Caribbean.
Smallmouth Bass
Clean, white, mildly flavored flesh with low fat; considered slightly firmer and more flavorful than largemouth bass. Excellent pan-fried or baked; a respected table fish in the Great Lakes region.
Species Overview
Great Barracuda
The great barracuda is a fearsome-looking predator found in tropical and subtropical oceans. With its torpedo-shaped body, pronounced underbite, and fang-like teeth, it can strike prey at speeds exceeding 58 km/h.
Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth bass is widely considered the best-fighting freshwater fish pound-for-pound. Found in clear, rocky streams and lakes, it is more athletic and acrobatic than its larger cousin, the largemouth bass.