blackfin barracuda
Sphyraena qenie
Barracuda of reefs and lagoons with current in the Pacific, reaching 170 cm. There are reports of ciguatera, so be careful when eating it.
Also called: bicuda-de-cauda-preta, blackfin barracuda
- maximum
- 170 cm
- record/max.
- 7.1 kg
- depth
- 0–100 m
who is the blackfin barracuda
Barracuda of the family Sphyraenidae, the barracudas. It reaches 170 cm and up to 7.1 kg, and lives near reefs and lagoons with current, from 0 to 100 m. It forms large, semi-stationary schools during the day, which may occupy the same place for months or even years. It probably spreads out at night to feed. It feeds on fish. It is often caught by trolling a lure, between dusk and dawn, and is a sport fish. It is also taken in commercial fishing.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the blackfin barracuda; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Elongated body with many dark bands crossing the lateral line, slanted in the upper half and nearly vertical in the lower. The caudal fin is almost entirely black, which gives it its common name. Unlike the Pacific barracuda, which is bluish or brownish on the back and silver on the belly, this one has dark bands on the body.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
An Indo-Pacific species, from the east coast of Africa to French Polynesia. In the eastern Pacific it is cited from Mexico and Panama, but its exact range is uncertain because of confusion with other barracudas. In Latin America it occurs from Mexico to Panama.
Habitat: Reefs and lagoons with current, from 0 to 100 m.
rules for the blackfin barracuda
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It has large, sharp teeth: handle with care. There are reports of ciguatera, a food poisoning, so be careful when eating it.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00708, b = 2.92; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa pelo gênero e formato do corpo)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Sphyraena qenie (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Sphyraena qenieNames by country and language.
