Latin name

Sphyraena obtusata

Other name

Striped barracuda, dingo fish, pike, sennit, short-finned seapike, short-finned sea-pike, short-jawed sea-pike, striped sea pike, yellowstripe barracuda, yellowtail, yellowtail barracuda, yellowtail sennit.

Identification

The body of the obtuse barracuda is elongated and subcylindrical, with small cycloid scales. The head is long and pointed. The mouth is large and horizontal, the tip of the lower jaw is prominent, the intermaxillary spaces are not elongated. The tarsus is rectangular in shape, with a wide exposed flap of skin. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 9. 

The first dorsal fin begins slightly in front of the tip of the pectoral fin, the first growth being equal to the second. The pelvic fins are well in front of the tip of the pectoral fin, closer to the anal opening than to the tip of the lower jaw. 

Fish colouring

The colouration of the Obtuse Barracuda is usually green on top and silvery underneath.

Distribution

Widespread in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans from the Red Sea and the coast of East Africa to the Ryukyu Islands, the Philippines, Indonesia and Micronesia. The south-eastern edge of the range is around Lord Howe Island between Australia and New Zealand. After the opening of the Suez Canal, the barracuda moved into the Mediterranean.

Habitat

It lives mainly in warm seas among coral, sandy and rocky reefs at depths of 5 to 30 metres. 

Size

The maximum length of the Obtuse Barracuda is 55 cm. The normal length is 30 cm.

Behavior

This species is not as aggressive as the Great or Red Barracuda. 

It inhabits bays and estuaries and is found in schools in seaweed thickets and on rocky reefs. It is a diurnal species. 

Food and feeding habits

The Obtuse Barracuda feeds mainly on fish. 

Reproduction

Female barracudas incubate their eggs directly in the water and the males fertilise them. The eggs are pelagic, floating freely in the water. Juveniles initially stay close to the shore and are often found in river estuaries. As they mature, juvenile barracudas move further away from the shore.

Fishing

Not a commercially important species. They catch them with nets.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. Sold in markets in fresh, frozen or dried salted form. Suitable for public aquariums and zoos only.