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Barracuda (Pacific)

SPECIES INFORMATION

  • The Pacific barracuda is also known as the Silver barracuda, California barracuda or the Sphyraena argentea. This fish is found in the north-eastern Pacific Ocean and it is a predatory fish. They stay in a depth of 0-18 meters. The fishes are evil looking, sleek, and are vague about their whereabouts.
  • The Pacific Barracuda is a member of the Sphyraenidae Family. The genus Sphyraena has 26 species. Barracudas are widely spread across the ocean, however, these can be mostly found in the tropical regions where there is also an abundance of food. These fishes have a body that is elongated and cylinder shaped. They also have a slender and a pointy snout. The fishes are a brownish blue colour in their frontal side. The silvery shiny backside, lack of spots and bars on their body and small scales are what distinguishes them from the other barracudas. They also have a large mouth that has sharp teeth.
  • The Pacific barracuda is a sporting fish. However, because of the reduction in its population, there were restrictions on the techniques used to fish for recreational and commercial fishing of this fish species. Purse seines were used, however, after the restriction, gill nets are now used to fish.

SIZE

The Pacific barracudas can reach a length of 1.22 meters, which is approximately 4 feet. The record weight of this fish is 4.3 kgs or 9 pounds and 8 ounces. The fish can be found at a depth of 50 feet. The Pacific barracuda also has a distinct feature with widely separated dorsal fins and a forked-tailed fin.

RANGE

The Pacific barracudas have a limited range in the Mexican waters from the Cedros Island northwards along the northwest and central coasts of Baja. The fish ranges from Alaska to the tip of Baja California. It is very rare above the point conception in California. They also range from Cabo San Lucas, Baja California to Washington. The Pacific is one of the famous sites for viewing the barracudas.

HABITAT

The Pacific barracuda is a pelagic species and their prevalent habitat is in the Baja coast of California. They stay in open waters. The species can be found near the shores and in the coastal areas in their adult life. However, when they are young, the Pacific barracuda can be found in the bays in the shallow waters. Some of the Pacific barracudas are recorded to be found in the deep waters to around 37 m. These fish species form a school and they move across the ocean in these schools. Some larger species move solitarily in the waters.

DIET

The Pacific barracuda mostly feed on sardines. They also eat squid, anchovies, and the babies of mackerels and grunion. The fish is a predatory fish and they have an aggressive behavior when they are preying on the smaller fishes. The specices even feed on grunts, groupers and on the young barracudas. The fish herd on their prey in tight schools and they mostly target the fishes in the shallow waters. They use their sharp eyesight and light and any sudden movements that direct them to the prey.

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