SPHYRAENIDAE Sphyraena barracuda, 10.5 cm SL (photo by Koichi Shibukawa) Sphyraena barracuda (photo by Suraphong Banchongmanee) Sphyraena barracuda (Walbaum, 1792) Great Barracuda D V+I, 9; A II, 7-8; LL 75-87. A large barracuda reaching to 170 cm. Mouth large, horizontal. No gill rakers on first gill arch; upper and lower gill arch with rough platelets lacking distinct spines. Caudal fin with a pair of large lobes at mid-posterior margin. Color: many oblique dark bars on dorsal half of body, not across lateral line; caudal fin black with white tips. Size: maximum 170 cm, commonly to 100 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in all tropical seas except for the eastern Pacific. Remarks: juveniles found in estuaries or mangrove swamps, adults in open sea and nearby reef; diurnal, and solitary or in small schools; caught by handline, set nets, and other fishing gear. (Keiichi Matsuura)