Guardian Nature School Team Contact Blog Project Noah Facebook Project Noah Twitter

A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife

Join Project Noah!
nature school apple icon

Project Noah Nature School visit nature school

Great Barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda

Description:

Body coloration of the great barracuda is brownish or bluish gray on the dorsum and upper side, with a greenish cast shading to silvery on the sides and a white belly. The upper side may have 18-23 dark bars most often observable when the fish is resting or over a variegated substrate. The black spots on the lower sides of the great barracuda distinguish it from other species of barracuda. The second dorsal fin, anal, and caudal fins are violet to black with whitish tips. Young barracuda exhibit pale reticulations on the dorsum and a dark stripe on either side that breaks into spots as the fish grows. These patterns are somewhat ephemeral though as juveniles can alter their color patterns to closely match that of their surroundings. These changes in coloration serve to camouflage the fish from predators as well as well as wary prey. Adults have similar coloration along with a more silvery appearance that is advantageous to a fish that swims near the surface of the water.

Habitat:

Ranguana Cay, Belize

Species ID Suggestions



Sign in to suggest organism ID

No Comments

joanbstanley
Spotted by
joanbstanley

Belize District, Belize

Spotted on Oct 17, 2013
Submitted on Nov 25, 2013

Related Spottings

Chevron Barracuda Great Barracuda Espetón, barracuda mediterránea Espetón

Nearby Spottings

Coconut Palm Hermit Crab Peregrine Falcon Hermit Crab

Reference

Noah Guardians
Noah Sponsors
join Project Noah Team

Join the Project Noah Team