SPHYRAENIDAE Barracudas

Barracudas have a partially deserved fearsome reputation for attacking anything smaller than themselves. In the Emirates, barracuda frequent the creeks and inshore reefs. Whilst the larger species may swim as solitary individuals, some of the smaller species swim in quite large schools.

Yellowtail Barracuda Sphyraena flavicauda

Slim, streamlined. Green dorsally, silvery with two longitudinal stripes laterally. 2-3 gill rakers on first arch. Offshore and inshore reefs, structures and in creeks. Predator and scavenger on fish and crustaceans. 50 cm.

Blackfin Barracuda Sphyraena qenie

Slim, streamlined. Green dorsally, silvery with darker vertical bar chevron-shaped bars. Lateral line pores. Spinous first dorsal. Powerful underslung jaw with rows of needle-sharp teeth. Offshore and inshore reefs, structures and creeks. Predator and scavenger, feeding on fish and cuttlefish. 125 cm

Great Barracuda Sphyraena barracuda

Slim, streamlined. Blue-black dorsally, silvery with darker vertical bar chevron-shaped bars. Lateral line pores. Spinous first dorsal. Powerful underslung jaw with rows of needle-sharp teeth. Larger specimens solitary and considered potentially dangerous. Offshore reefs, and structures, open sea, predator and scavenger on fish and cuttlefish. 200 cm.