Great Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
The Great Barracuda is a silver torpedo reaching 2 meters. This lightning-fast, purely visual apex predator requires massive public pools and is lethally dangerous to handle due to its razor-sharp fangs.
Température de l’eau
22 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
8.1 - 8.4
Type d'eau
Marin
Niveau dans le bac
Surface et milieu
Taille adulte
200 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 500 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
KH
7 - 15 dKH
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Juveniles inhabit mangrove roots (brackish or freshwater), while colossal adults patrol ocean reefs and the open sea.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda). The alpha predator. Fusiform body designed for lightning acceleration. Protruding lower jaw, armed with uneven, razor-sharp conical fangs that slice prey in two.
Social Behavior: Solitary Hunter (as adult). Juveniles form dense protective schools, but once past 50 cm (20 inches) they become ruthlessly territorial and solitary. They often hover motionless in mid-water, staring at prey before darting at 25 mph.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silver torpedo. Dark gray/green back (to blend with the bottom) and white/silver belly (to blend with the illuminated surface). Often shows dark streaks along the flanks.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: NOT a home aquarium fish. As an adult it reaches 2 meters (6.5 feet). Requires circular public pools (without sharp corners, otherwise it breaks its snout) of at least 10,000 liters (2,600 Gallons). Very powerful currents.
Diet and Feeding: Pure piscivore. Eats only live or thawed whole fish (sardines, mackerel). Attacks shiny baits (silver reflections). Must be fed with long tongs to avoid losing fingers.
Water Quality: Sensitive to hypoxia. Given its muscular bulk, it consumes enormous amounts of oxygen. Filtration must be monumental (Giant Skimmers) to cope with the organic load of digested whole fish.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Eats anyone. Can slice in two or swallow huge fish. In colossal tanks, it can only coexist with benthic sharks, giant groupers or rays, but the risks of mutual mutilation are always high.
Aquarium Breeding: Completely impossible in captivity. They reproduce in the open ocean, releasing massive amounts of eggs that are dispersed by currents.
Risks and Diseases: The Murderous Attack (Broken glass and severed fingers). Extremely nervous fish. A sudden flash of light or an abrupt movement outside the tank makes it dart forward like a bullet, destroying thin acrylic or glass and killing itself. Its teeth cut bone.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Juveniles inhabit mangrove roots (brackish or freshwater), while colossal adults patrol ocean reefs and the open sea.
Origine
Cosmopolite ou introduitOcéans tropicaux et récifs
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- Behaviorally, the Great Barracuda is characterized as being highly predatory and aggressive. They exhibit fascinating social dynamics that can be a true joy to observe in a well-planned display. While generally agreeable, unexpected aggression can sometimes occur if their fundamental environmental needs are not met. Providing adequate hiding spots and sufficient swimming space will go a long way in ensuring their temperament remains calm and manageable.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- Feeding the Great Barracuda properly requires acknowledging its natural role as a piscivorous. A staple diet of premium flakes or pellets should be supplemented with nutrient-rich treats to replicate natural foraging. It is advisable to soak dry foods beforehand to prevent digestive issues and swim bladder complications. Consistently offering a diverse menu will significantly boost their immune system and overall vitality.
- Espérance de vie
- 11-18 years
- Taille adulte
- 200 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Specific M:F ratio
- To prevent undue stress, it is recommended to keep the Great Barracuda in a carefully managed sex ratio. Providing more females than males reduces the constant harassment that a single female might endure. If keeping multiple males, the aquarium must be sufficiently large to allow for the establishment of distinct territories. Careful observation during the first few weeks will dictate if any aggressive individuals need to be rehomed.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- To mimic its natural foraging behavior, the Great Barracuda should be fed small portions two to three times a day. Overfeeding can lead to severe health issues and quickly degrade the water quality. It is crucial to only provide an amount of food that the fish can consume within a few minutes. Adjusting the feeding frequency based on the fish's age and activity level is a best practice for long-term care.
- Charge biologique
- Extreme
- Maintaining this marine species requires understanding its extremely high bioload profile. The Great Barracuda will thrive when the filtration system is carefully matched to its specific waste production. Frequent testing of the water chemistry is highly recommended to ensure no dangerous spikes occur. Excellent water quality is the foundation for preventing disease and promoting a vibrant, active fish.
- Courant
- Moderate
- Sphyraena barracuda needs steady, moderate circulation distributed across the aquarium rather than a narrow, forceful jet. NOT a home aquarium fish. As an adult it reaches 2 meters (6. This preserves useful water exchange while retaining calmer shelter for rest and feeding.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Due to its energetic nature, the Great Barracuda carries a high probability of jumping out of an open-top aquarium. It is highly advised to secure the perimeter of the tank with a glass canopy or custom netting. Instances of leaping often happen at night or during sudden lighting changes, making a gentle sunrise/sunset lighting schedule beneficial. Maintaining exceptional water quality further discourages attempts to escape the enclosure.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- The reproductive strategy of the Great Barracuda involves being a pelagic spawner. Breeding this species in captivity can be a rewarding challenge that requires dedicated conditioning of the broodstock. Specific triggers such as changes in temperature, diet, or water chemistry are often necessary to induce spawning. Once breeding occurs, specialized care for the fry, including appropriately sized live foods, is critical for their survival and development.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Not reef safe
- The Great Barracuda is known to be only with very large robust fish, not reef safe when integrated into a carefully planned setup. They tend to exhibit the best colors and natural behaviors when kept with species of a similar temperament. Aquarists must be cautious to provide enough visual barriers if housing them with semi-aggressive tankmates. Overall, a well-thought-out stocking plan will yield a beautiful, drama-free aquatic display.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Top/Middle
- The Great Barracuda naturally gravitates towards the top to mid section of the water column. Decorating this specific zone with appropriate hardscape, such as driftwood branches or rocky caves, encourages them to display their natural behaviors. It is important to ensure that water flow and lighting are optimized for this specific depth. Layering the tank inhabitants thoughtfully creates a visually dynamic and biologically sound ecosystem.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 4,5 ± 0,6 se
- Résilience
- Faible (4,5 - 14 ans)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00851, b = 2.93
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité très élevée (79 / 100)
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