Great barracuda

Great barracuda
Great barracuda hovering in the current at Paradise Reef, Cozumel, Mexico
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Istiophoriformes
Family:	Sphyraenidae
Genus:	Sphyraena
Species:	S. barracuda
Binomial name
Sphyraena barracuda (Edwards in Catesby, 1771)
Synonyms
List Sphyraena barracuda Walbaum, 1792 Agrioposphyraena barracuda (Walbaum, 1792) Esox barracuda Walbaum, 1792 Esox barracuda Edwards, 1771 Sphyraena becuna Lacepède, 1803 Sphyraena commersonii Cuvier, 1829 Sphyraena dussumieri Valenciennes, 1831 Sphyraena picuda Bloch & Schneider, 1801 Sphyraena sphyraena picuda Bloch & Schneider, 1801

The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is a species of barracuda found in tropical waters of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. They are disappearing in Florida.

The great barracuda are large, usually around 60–100 cm (24–39 in) in length. It is blue-gray above and becomes pale gray below. They have strong, pointed teeth. The head is pointed, making it look like a pike. The caudal fin is forked. The gill covers don't have spines.

The largest great barracuda measured 3 m (9.8 ft).

Great barracudas sometimes attack humans, but these are usually rare.

1. ↑ Aiken, K.A.; Dooley, J.; Marechal, J.; Pina Amargos, F.; Russell, B.; Singh-Renton, S. (2017) [errata version of 2015 assessment]. "Sphyraena barracuda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T190399A115319634. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T190399A15603115.en.

• Great barracuda pictures on Sealife Collection