Fish
European Barracuda
Sphyraena sphyraena · also called Mediterranean barracuda
Hanging motionless over a Mediterranean reef, a European barracuda watches a shoal of sardines, its fanged jaws slightly open.
Overview
The European barracuda, Sphyraena sphyraena, is a Least Concern predatory fish of the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic. Its long, silvery body, fangs, and sudden strikes make it the European counterpart of the larger tropical barracudas.
A predator with a patient approach
The barracuda hangs motionless in the water until prey comes within range, and then covers the last few metres in a burst of speed.
Status
Least Concern, widespread across its range.
European Barracuda: common questions
Is the European barracuda dangerous?
It is a fanged predator, but attacks on people are rare, and it is generally not considered a danger to swimmers.
Do barracuda hunt alone?
Young fish hunt in shoals, while large adults tend to hunt alone.
How big is the European barracuda?
It is a long, slim fish, and some individuals reach about a metre in length.
Where is the European barracuda found?
It lives in coastal and open waters of the Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic, from the Bay of Biscay to West Africa.