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Fun Facts about the Blackfin Barracuda

[Phylum: Chordata] [Class: Actinopterygii] [Order: Carangiformes] [Species: Sphyraena qenie]

The black V-shaped body stripes are the most distinctive feature in blackfin barracudas (Sphyraena qenie), and the reason why they're also called "chevron barracudas".

This page contains some surprising facts about blackfin barracuda, including where they live, what this aggressive hunter eats, and how they reproduce.

Chevron Barracuda Distribution and Habitat

The global distribution of the barracuda species is fairly widespread in tropical and subtropical oceans.

Even so, populations of chevron barracudas are flourishing in the warm waters of many coastal marine environments, especially:

Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines)
Indian Ocean (e.g. the Maldives, Seychelles, India, Sri Lanka)
Indo-Pacific region (East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania)
Western Pacific (e.g. Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands)

Barracudas prefer habitats near shallow coastal waters, such as mangroves, coral reef formations, seagrass beds, and sheltered lagoons (especially juveniles).

But, you may also see them swimming in large schools (known as a "battery of barracudas") as they hunt around sloping reefs and drop-offs in open oceans, anywhere from a few metres below the surface and down to fifty (50) metres (160 feet).

Interesting Fact: Migrating adults are known to be present in Southern Japan (e.g. Ryukyu Islands), Northern Australia, and selected regions in the tropical East Pacific.

Key Features of a Blackfin Barracuda

One of the main features that characterises barracuda fish is the body shape. The elongated torpedo-shaped form, almost snake-like, is definitely built for speed. Chevron barracudas also have a pointed "arrow-like" head and an extra large mouth with razor-sharp teeth.

The typical body colouration of a barracuda is one of dark green, silver, or gray - often with light blue on the back.

They also take advantage of their countershading camouflage (e.g. silvery flanks and white underbelly) to sneak up on unsuspecting victims.

Even so, some of the barracuda species feature dark vertical bars, chevrons, or spotted markings, such as those seen in the pickhandle barracuda (Sphyraena jello).

Chevron Barracuda Size and Weight

After reaching full maturity, blackfin barracudas can grow to 1.6 metres in total body length (5 feet) and weigh up to 30 kilograms (66 pounds).

The average size varies according to the different species. However, the northern sennet (Sphyraena borealis) is the smallest measuring about forty six (46) centimetres long (around 18 inches).

Blackfin Barracuda Diet

Blackfin barracuda (Sphyraena qenie) are typical carnivores with an aggressive, predatory personality that excels when they search in deep water for their favourite prey, such as:

Anchovies
Cephalopods (e.g. cuttlefish, squids)
Fusilier fishes
Herrings
Killifishes
Mullet
Sardines
Silversides (Atheriniformes)

Interesting Fact: In their quest to kill their prey, or bite large chunks out of them, barracudas sometimes need to compete in large groups against other savage oceanic predators, such as needlefish and mackerel.

How Do Blackfin Barracudas Reproduce?

Barracuda reproduction occurs through "external fertilisation" (a common practice among pelagic fishes). They are also broadcast spawners, which means males and females "simultaneously" release sperm and eggs into the open water.

In the main, spawning season aligns with the warmest months, spring to end of summer, and usually takes place in deep water, away from reef formations and shorelines. The stronger water currents found in open oceans help to disperse their eggs.

Here's the thing:

Female barracudas can release hundreds of thousands of eggs during each spawning event. The tiny eggs (often less than 1 mm in size) are buoyant and float near to the surface of the water.

Even though the eggs hatch within a few days, and eventually grow big enough to settle in some protected habitat (e.g. seagrass beds), there is no parental care after the spawning event has finished.

Interesting Fact: Most of the barracuda species attain sexual maturity after they are two (2) years of age, but usually before they get to four (4) years old. In the wild, the average lifespan is around fifteen (15) years.

Threats and Predators

Despite being one of the fastest mid-level predators, barracudas face several natural and human-induced threats.

For example, besides being targeted by sport-fishing enthusiasts, outside of captivity they often fall victim to some of the biggest marine hunters, such as:

Groupers (e.g. the Atlantic goliath grouper)
Dolphins (preying on juvenile barracudas)
Sharks (especially bull sharks and tiger sharks)
Tuna fish
Other barracudas (cannibalism is commonplace among large barracudas).

Other contributing factors for the decline in a few vulnerable areas include certain types of human behaviour such as, habitat destruction (e.g. coastal development), coral reef destruction, overfishing (bycatch), and escalating sea temperatures.

Pro Tip: The IUCN Red List contains data on the global conservation status of animals, fungi, and plants. In 2023, they cited the population status of the blackfin barracuda (Sphyraena qenie) as being of "Least Concern" (LC).