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Great Barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda
Managed by: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Regions
Florida
Protected status
None
Also known as
—

Species Profile

Florida saltwater profile data (FWC). Availability and detail varies by species.

FWC
Size
Up to 106 pounds
Appearance
  • Gray with a greenish color on the back, shading to a lighter belly
  • Mouth with prominent, sharp teeth; lower jaw protrudes past upper jaw
  • Black blotches on lower sides
  • Diagonal dark bars on upper sides (not always evident)
  • Tail color is dark with white tips
  • Young have dark stripe on side that breaks into dark blotches with age
Habitat
Range inshore to offshore. Young found inshore in seagrass beds.
Behavior
Top predator in reef areas, consuming fishes, squid and shrimp.
Additional information
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Sources
Image credit: © Diane Rome Peebles