Name: Great barracuda, dingo fish, Commerson's barracuda
Scientific Name: Sphyraena barracuda (Walbaum, 1792)
Family: Sphyraenidae
Group: Bony fish
Class: Fish
Size: 101-200 cm.
As juveniles, these fish form shoals that shelter in shallow and protected waters of estuaries and mangroves. As they grow, they move to more exposed areas, but continue to live in shoals until they reach about 60 cm in length. At this time, they disperse and become solitary animals, which swim in waters further from the coast. The largest specimens are potentially dangerous and can inflict very serious and sometimes fatal injuries. Its flesh is edible, but can cause ciguatera, as the great barracuda accumulates toxins from the animals on which it feeds.
Photo by:
Udo van Dongen (www.digideep.com)
Global Ocean
