| Sphyraena
argentea
Girard,
1854 |
|
| Family: |
Sphyraenidae
(Barracudas) |
 |
| Order: |
Perciformes
|
| Class: |
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) |
| FishBase name: |
Pacific barracuda |
| Max. size: |
57 in FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 26 lb ; max. reported age: 11 years |
| Environment: |
pelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth range 0 -
60 ft |
| Climate: |
temperate; 58°N - 24°N |
| Importance: |
fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes |
| Resilience: |
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 -
4.4 years |
| Distribution:
|
Eastern Pacific: Kodiak I., Alaska to southern
Baja California, Mexico; rare north of Point Conception in California,
USA. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal
spines
(total): 6-6; Dorsal
soft
rays (total): 9-10; Anal
spines:
1-1; Anal
soft
rays: 8-9. Color bluish or brownish dorsally, silvery ventrally. |
| Biology: |
Usually near shore or near the surface
. Often in small schools . Young enter bays .
Feeds mainly on other fishes . Migrates south from the
California coast during autumn, but may remain in front of the Mexican
coast throughout the year . Utilized fresh, dried/salted and
frozen; eaten broiled and baked. Considered as potentially
dangerous due to its large, sharp teeth and aggressive disposition, though
there are no reports of attacks. |
| Red List Status: |
Not in IUCN Red List |
| Dangerous: |
traumatogenic |
