European barracuda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids European barracuda |
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The Sphyraena sphyraena, often called the European barracuda or Mediterranean barracuda, is a fascinating fish. It's a powerful hunter that lives in the Mediterranean basin and the warmer parts of the Atlantic Ocean. This fish is known for its speed and sharp teeth, making it a top predator in its watery home.
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What Does the European Barracuda Look Like?
The European barracuda has a long, sleek body that's a bit flattened on the sides. Its body is covered with small, smooth scales. It has a big mouth with a lower jaw that sticks out, and it's full of very sharp teeth.
This fish is usually dark on its back and shiny silver underneath. Sometimes, when it's just caught, you might see a yellow stripe along its side. It also has about 20 to 22 dark stripes across its back, but these stripes don't reach its sides.
Fins and Size
The barracuda has two dorsal fins on its back. The front one has 5 stiff, spiny rays, and the back one has one spiny ray and 9 soft rays. Its pectoral fins (on its sides) are quite small. The pelvic fins (on its belly) are located right under the front dorsal fin. It also has an anal fin (near its tail) with one spiny ray and 9 soft rays.
Most European barracudas are about 30 to 60 centimeters (about 1 to 2 feet) long and weigh around 3.6 kilograms (about 8 pounds). However, some can grow much larger, up to 165 centimeters (over 5 feet) long and weigh at least 12 kilograms (over 26 pounds)! It's the biggest type of barracuda found in the Mediterranean Sea.
Where Do European Barracudas Live?
You can find the European barracuda in many places across the Atlantic Ocean. In the eastern Atlantic, they live from the Bay of Biscay (near France and Spain) all the way down to Angola in Africa. They are also found near the Canary Islands and the Azores. In the western Atlantic, they swim near Bermuda and Brazil.
These barracudas are also common throughout the entire Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Sometimes, they even travel as far north as Cornwall in the United Kingdom.
Life and Habits of the Barracuda
European barracudas usually live in the open ocean, swimming high up in the water. However, younger barracudas often stay closer to the ocean floor.
What Do They Eat?
These fish are predators, meaning they hunt other animals for food. Their main diet is other fish. But they also sometimes eat squid and crustaceans like crabs or shrimp.
Social Life and Reproduction
European barracudas are social fish. They often swim in large groups, sometimes with ten to two hundred individuals!
Their reproduction season is between May and August. During this time, a female barracuda can lay a huge number of eggs, up to 300,000!
European Barracudas and Fishing
European barracudas are caught by commercial fisheries for food, and they are also a popular fish for sport fishing.
However, there's a concern that too many barracudas are being caught, especially in the eastern and southern Mediterranean. This might mean that the fish are being overfished. Young barracudas are sometimes caught by accident in nets meant for smaller fish like sardines. Adult barracudas, which don't move around as much, are also vulnerable to different fishing methods, including spearfishing.
