Snorkel Hawaii - Blackfin Barracuda

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.

Chevron Barracuda