Blackfin Barracuda

Q: Where can you find Blackfin Barracuda?

Blackfin Barracuda can be found in: Egypt East, Laccadive Islands, Mariana Islands, Cocos Island, Visayas, Australia West, Saudi Arabia West, Malaysia East, Costa Rica, Malpelo Island, Costa Rica West, Australia North, Marshall Islands, Malaysia West, Galapagos, Hawaii, Pacific East, Colombia West, Somalia East, Vanuatu, Sudan, Brunei, China, Ecuador, Myanmar, Eritrea, Bohol Island, Australia, Hong Kong, Kenya, Qatar, India, Israel, USA West, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico West, Japan South, India East, India West, Thailand East, Thailand West, Panama West, Israel South, Oman, Oman East, Somalia North, Australia East, Nicaragua West, Guatemala West, Honduras South, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Vietnam, Seychelles, Cambodia, Indo-Pacific, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, Polynesia, Singapore, Tanzania, Malaysia, Kuwait, Bahrain, USA, Honduras, South Africa, Red Sea, Japan, Indonesia, Chagos Islands, Mexico, Mozambique, Jordan, Palau, Philippines, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Micronesia, Egypt, Tonga and Samoa, Yemen, Mascarene Islands, Madagascar, Kiribati, Djibouti, El Salvador, Comoros, Fiji, Thailand, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Pacific Ocean, Colombia, Somalia, Nicaragua, Guatemala.

Sphyraena qenie

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Max Depth

100 m

Sphyraena genie is a large predatory fish from the barracuda family (Sphyraenidae), found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region.

Description

It has a long, slender body typical of barracudas. Adult individuals reach lengths of 80–140 cm, with some growing up to 165 cm and weighing over 20 kg.

The body is silvery with dark gray or bluish tones on the back and a lighter, almost white underside. A distinctive feature is the black edge on the tail fin, which gives the fish its common name.

The head is elongated, with a large mouth filled with sharp teeth, enabling the fish to easily catch and hold its prey.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific from Persian Gulf, Red Sea and East Africa to the central Indian Ocean and French Polynesia. Eastern Pacific - Mexico and Panama.

The exact range is uncertain because of confusion with Pickhandle Barracuda (Sphyraena jello) and Military Barracuda (Sphyraena putnamae).

Habitat

The blacktail barracuda inhabits tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It is typically found near coral reefs, rocky outcrops, or sandy seabeds at depths ranging from 10 to 100 meters.

This fish is often encountered alone or in small groups. Juveniles prefer shallow lagoons, while adults move to deeper waters.

It is an active predator that feeds primarily on small to medium-sized fish and cephalopods. Its hunting strategy involves lightning-fast strikes, using its speed and powerful jaws to capture prey.

Behavior

The blacktail barracuda is known for its cautious but occasionally curious behavior. It may approach divers but rarely shows aggression. This fish is active both day and night, spending its time hunting or sheltering among reefs.