Sphyraena novaehollandiae Günther, 1860
Australian barracuda
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Sphyraenidae (Barracudas)
Max. size:  100 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: southern coast of Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: first gill arch with one gill raker; pelvic-fin insertion is located slightly before vertical through first dorsal-fin origin; pored lateral-line scales 120-138 (modally 127), total lateral-line scales 129-146 (134); scales above lateral line 9-11 (10) and below, 11-13 (12); snout is comparatively short, its length 12.2-14.0 (mean 13.2) % SL; upper jaw short, with posterior tip not reaching to below anterior nostril, its length 9.2-10.7 (10.0) % SL; eye small, orbit diameter 3.4-4.5 (4.0) % SL and depth, 3.3-4.2 (3.7) % SL; anal-fin base long, its length 7.6-9.2 (8.5) % SL; last dorsal- and anal-fin ray lengths are 3.6-4.5 (4.0) % SL and 3.3-4.3 (3.9) % SL, respectively; anus is comparatively close to anal-fin origin, its anterior and posterior margins to anal-fin origin 5.8-8.0 (6.9) % HL and 3.1-5.1 (4.0) % HL, respectively; the head sensory canal pores on suborbital area are finely branched, their lowermost parts very close to lacrimal bone margin, large smooth area lacking canal pores absent on mid-margin of lacrimal bone. Colouration: lateral body surface without stripes and bands and caudal fin yellowish-gray (Ref. 123366).
Biology:  Occurs in channels and other semi-protected areas. Found in schools. Feeds on various small fish (Ref. 2156).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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