Blackfin Barracuda, Sphyraena qenie Klunzinger, 1870

Scientific name: Sphyraena qenie
Alternative name/s:
Chevron Barracuda
Blackfin Barracuda Click to enlarge image
A Blackfin Barracuda at a depth of 20 m, Tijou Reef, far northern Great Barrier Reef, December, 1999. Image: Erik Schlögl.
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Sphyraena
    Species
    qenie
    Family
    Sphyraenidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The Blackfin Barracuda grows to 90 cm in length.

Introduction

The Blackfin Barracuda lives in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. The exact distribution range of the Blackfin Barracuda is difficult to determine because it is often confused with other barracuda species.

Identification

The Blackfin Barracuda has a long silver body with about 20 chevron-shaped bars. The lower jaw has a fleshy pointed tip. The caudal fin is dusky with a black margin.

Distribution

The species lives in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from tropical waters of Western Australia and Queensland. The exact range of this species is difficult to determine because it is often confused with other species of barracudas such as the Giant Seapike, S.jello and the Sawtooth Barracuda,S.putnamae.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.