Pondicherry Barracuda

The Sphyraena obtusata, commonly known as the obtuse barracuda, belongs to the Sphyraenidae family and is prevalent in tropical marine environments globally. This species typically reaches a length of up to 55 cm, with a common length of around 30 cm. It inhabits both marine and brackish waters, predominantly within reef-associated areas at depths ranging from 5 to 200 meters, and is most commonly found at depths of 5 to 15 meters.

The species is characterized by an elongated, subcylindrical body covered with small cycloid scales, and a long, pointed head. It possesses a large, horizontal mouth with the lower jaw subtly protruding beyond the non-protractile intermaxilla. The preoperculum is rectangular, featuring a wide flap of exposed skin. The first dorsal fin originates slightly anterior to the tip of the pectoral fin, with the first and second spines being of approximately equal length. The pelvic fins are situated well before the pectoral tip, positioned closer to the anal fin than to the lower jaw tip. The obtuse barracuda exhibits a coloration that is generally green dorsally and silver ventrally.

This species is typically found inhabiting bays and estuaries, often forming schools in seagrass beds and rocky reefs. It primarily feeds on fish and displays diurnal activity patterns.

Geographically, the obtuse barracuda is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the 🌊 Red Sea and East Africa to 🇼🇸 Samoa, extending north to the Ryukyu Islands (🇯🇵 Japan), and reaching south to Victoria, 🇦🇺 Australia. It has also migrated into the eastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal (🇪🇬 Egypt). However, its precise range remains uncertain due to possible confusion with the Sphyraena flavicauda species.