Found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.
Conservation status
Least Concern
Edibility
Edible and regarded as a good food fish, but large individuals can accumulate ciguatoxins and cause ciguatera poisoning. Avoid eating large reef-associated specimens where ciguatera occurs.
Culinary quality / 5
4
Danger level
Caution
Usual observation depth
3–30 m
Lifespan (years)
8
Behaviour
Active predator by day. Juveniles may form schools, while adults are often solitary or present in small loose groups. It frequently waits near reef edges or patrols along them before rapidly attacking its prey.
Observation zones
Reef, reef slope, lagoon, pass and open-water edge near reefs.
Diet
Mainly fish, especially reef and schooling fish; it can also catch squid and other cephalopods.
Reproduction
Oviparous
Identification marks
Long, cylindrical barracuda, silvery, with a pointed head, large fang-like teeth and two well-separated dorsal fins. The caudal fin and other fins are distinctly dark to blackish, which explains its common name.
Similar species
It can be confused with the yellowtail barracuda (Sphyraena flavicauda), whose tail is distinctly yellow, and with the chevron barracuda (Sphyraena putnamae), which has more distinct lateral chevron markings. The dark to blackish fins are useful for identifying S. qenie.
Approach rules
Observe calmly from several meters away and do not block its path. Avoid sudden movements and reflective objects near the fish. Do not touch, pursue, use a flash at very close range, or feed it; its teeth can inflict serious bites if it is provoked or handled.
Protection
Globally assessed as « Least Concern » on the IUCN Red List. No CITES listing is known. Sustainable fisheries management and protection of reef habitats remain recommended.
