Great Barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda

Least Concern Saltwater

Max Length

200.0 cm

Max Weight

50.0 kg

Color

Steel-gray to dark gunmetal-blue back …

Depth Range

0-100m

Family

Sphyraenidae

About

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.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	200.0 cm
Maximum Weight	50.0 kg
Depth Range	0-100m

Coloration

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.

Habitat & Distribution

Pelagic, coral reefs, estuaries

Water Type

Saltwater

Depth Range

0-100m

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 the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific atolls.

Countries

🇧🇿 Belize

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Distribution Map

Present Not recorded countries

Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Great Barracuda is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Edibility & Culinary

Taste

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.

Fishing Information

Game Fish

Yes

Fight Rating

7/5

Recommended Bait

tube lures, topwater plugs, needlefish, live bait

Fishing Seasons

Taxonomy

Order	Perciformes (Perch-like fishes)
Family	Sphyraenidae (Barracudas)
Species	Sphyraena barracuda

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
Arabic	بركودة كبيرة
Chinese (Simplified)	巴拉金梭鱼
French	Barracuda
German	Großer Barrakuda
Indonesian	Barakuda besar
Japanese	オニカマス
Korean	큰꼬치고기
Portuguese	Barracuda-gigante
Russian	Большая барракуда
Spanish	Picuda barracuda
Thai	ปลาสากใหญ่
Vietnamese	Cá nhồng lớn

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat 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.

How big does Great Barracuda get?

Great Barracuda can grow up to 200.0 cm long and weigh 50.0 kg.

Where is Great Barracuda found?

Is Great Barracuda endangered?

The conservation status of Great Barracuda is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Great Barracuda belong to?

Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) belongs to the family Sphyraenidae (Barracudas) in the order Perciformes (Perch-like fishes).