Barracuda - Heller's 
Barracuda - Heller's
Sphyraena helleri
Average Weight/Length
Max length : 80.0 cm TL male/unsexed; common length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; max. published weight: 1.8 kg
Family, Genus, Class & Etymology
| Family | Sphyraenidae |
| Description | Barracudas |
| Environment | Marine |
| Etymology | Greek, sphyraina = a fish similar to an iron pin, a pike like fish |
| Genus | 1 |
| No. of Species | 27 |
| Order | Perciformes |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Reproductive Guild | Nonguarders |
| Distribution | Tropical and subtropical. Distribution: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Elongated body. Large-mouthed with the lower jaw projecting forward bearing strong fanglike teeth. Upper jaw non-protractile, an adaptation to feeding on large prey. Well-developed lateral line. Gill rakers vestigial. Position of pectoral fins relatively low. Dorsal fins far apart. First dorsal fin with 5 spines; second dorsal with 1 spine and 9 soft rays. Vertebrae 24 (11+13). Usually to 1.8 m maximum length; could grow longer. Voracious predators of other fishes. Attacks on humans have been reported. Pelagic spawning in schools. Food and game fishes, but large specimens may be ciguatoxic. |
Other "Popular" Names for this Fish
Japanese Barracuda
Location Habitat
Inhabits coral reefs or bays. Usually seen by day in large schools. Feeds on small poissons. Mainly nocturnal. Also caught with set nets
Biology & Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. Coloration of the body with two bright yellow stripes on the sides; caudal fin darkish.
Geographic Species Map (Fishbase.org Map)
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Summary of Distribution: Indian Ocean: East Africa and the Mascarene Islands. Pacific Ocean: north to southern Japan, south to the Coral Sea, and east to French Polynesia; also from the Hawaiian Islands. Common in oceanic islands of the Pacific. The exact range is uncertain because of the confusion of this species with Sphyraena acutipinnis and Sphyraena novaehollandiae. |
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Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org) |
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Game Rating
Game Rating : 7.5/10
Game Description :
Food Rating
Game Rating : 7.5/10
Game Description :
Nutritional Facts by Serving Size: 100g / 3.5oz (raw) Calories Fat Calories Total Fat Saturated Fat Cholesterol Sodium Potassium Protein Omega-3
