Bigeye Barracuda, Sphyraena forsteri (Cuvier, 1829)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Bigeye Barracuda, Sphyraena forsteri (Cuvier, 1829)

The Bigeye Barracuda is recognised by its elongate shape, large eye, and colouration. The species occurs throughout much of the Indo-Pacific.

Identification

The Bigeye Barracuda is recognised by its elongate shape, large eye, and colouration. It is greenish-grey dorsally, has silvery sides, a black blotch on the base of the pectoral fin, and white tips to the second dorsal and anal fins.

Size range

Bigeye Barracuda grow to 65 cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs throughout much of the Indo-Pacific. The school of Bigeye Barracuda in the image was photographed in a protected bay at North Solitary Island, northern New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Bigeye Barracuda specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:: forsteri
Genus:: Sphyraena
Family:: Sphyraenidae
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

de Sylva, D.P. 1975. Barracudas (Pisces: Sphyraenidae) of the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas - a preliminary review of their systematics and ecology. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. India v. 15 (no. 1) [1973]: 74-94. [Published 1975, author's notation on reprint.]
Smith, M.M., and P.C. Heemstra (eds.). 1986. Smiths' Sea Fishes. Macmillan South Africa, Johannesburg. i-xx + 1-1047, Pls. 1-144. [Revision of J.L.B. Smith's, The Sea Fishes of Southern Africa, first published in 1949. Also 1988, 1991 and 1995 impressions.]
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 17 June 2009

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