Pickhandle Barracuda

Q: Where can you find Pickhandle Barracuda?

Pickhandle Barracuda can be found in: Egypt East, Laccadive Islands, Australia West, Saudi Arabia West, Malaysia East, Taiwan, Australia North, Malaysia West, Raja Ampat Islands, Somalia East, Vanuatu, Sudan, Brunei, China, Myanmar, Eritrea, Australia, Hong Kong, Kenya, Qatar, India, Israel, Japan South, India East, India West, Thailand East, Thailand West, Israel South, Indo-Pacific Central, Oman, Oman East, Somalia North, Australia East, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Vietnam, Seychelles, Cambodia, Indo-Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Iraq, Bangladesh, Singapore, Tanzania, Malaysia, Kuwait, Bahrain, South Africa, Red Sea, Japan, Indonesia, Chagos Islands, Mozambique, Jordan, Palau, Philippines, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Egypt, Tonga and Samoa, Yemen, Mascarene Islands, Madagascar, Pakistan, Djibouti, Comoros, Fiji, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Somalia.

Sphyraena jello

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Max Depth

200 m

Sphyraena jello is a species of barracuda of the family Sphyraenidae. It is called Pickhandle Barracuda because the dark marks along its sides look like the thick ends of pickaxe handles. These dark markings fade with the preservation. Sea anglers sometimes colloquially shorten the name to "pick".

Description

It has an elongated, streamlined body perfectly adapted for fast swimming and lightning-quick attacks. This fish can grow up to 150–180 cm in length and weigh up to 25–30 kg, making it one of the largest members of its family.

The body is silvery with a metallic sheen, featuring dark gray or greenish tones on the back that transition to a lighter, almost white belly. Its caudal fin is largely yellowish. Adult individuals may display faint stripes or spots on their sides, providing natural camouflage.

The head is large and elongated, with powerful jaws.

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific from Red Sea south to the southeastern coast of South Africa and east to New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

Due to a widespread confusion with Military Barracuda (Sphyraena putnamae) and Blackfin Barracuda (Sphyraena qenie), the exact range is uncertain.

Habitat

It inhabits the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region, including coral reefs, lagoons, and rocky areas, as well as coastal waters and the open ocean at depths of 10 to 100 meters.

This fish prefers hunting near reefs, using them as both a shelter and a base for ambushing prey. It is an active and efficient predator, feeding mainly on small to medium-sized fish and cephalopods. It is active both day and night, alternating between hunting and hiding among reefs.

It generally leads a solitary lifestyle, especially large adults, but it may occasionally be found in small groups.

Known for its cautious yet curious nature, this fish sometimes approaches divers but rarely shows aggression.