Pickhandle barracuda (Sphyraena jello)

Description

What’s the World’s Favourite Species?

Pickhandle barracuda fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Pickhandle barracuda description

A large, streamlined predatory fish with a fierce appearance, the pickhandle barracuda (Sphyraena jello) is capable of quickly pursuing its prey using thrusts of the powerful, forked tail fin ⁽²⁾. The mouth of this species is large, reaching back level with the small eye, and is armed with long, sharp, dagger-like teeth. The dark bars that streak its sides are vertical in the lower half, but angled in the top half in the shape of a pick, giving this fish its common name. The pickhandle barracuda is light silver in colour, which acts as camouflage, making it difficult to see from below against the surface light ^{(4) (5) (6)}.

Also known as

banded barracuda, giant sea pike, Indian barracuda, pickhandle seapike.

Size

Length: 80 - 125 cm ⁽²⁾

Weight

up to 11.5 kg ⁽³⁾

Pickhandle barracuda biology

Using its excellent camouflage and ability to remain completely still in the water as if frozen ⁽⁵⁾, the pickhandle barracuda lies in wait for its fish or squid prey ⁽²⁾. Larger pickhandle barracuda tend to be solitary, while smaller individuals occur in schools ^{(2) (8)}.

As with other barracuda species, little is known about the reproductive cycle of the pickhandle barracuda, but it is believed that spawning occurs once a year, with eggs and sperm being released into the open ocean for external fertilisation ⁽⁵⁾.

Pickhandle barracuda range

The pickhandle barracuda occurs in the Indian and west Pacific Oceans, ranging from the south-eastern coast of South Africa, across the northern Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia and Australia ⁽²⁾.

Pickhandle barracuda habitat

The pickhandle barracuda is most commonly found around coral reefs, but also inhabits bays, estuaries and lagoons, at depths of between 20 and 200 metres ^{(2) (7)}.

Pickhandle barracuda status

The pickhandle barracuda has yet to be classified by the IUCN.

Pickhandle barracuda threats

Despite being exploited for both sport and commercial fishing, the pickhandle barracuda does not appear to be under threat of extinction, although its exact conservation status has yet to be assessed ⁽⁹⁾.

Pickhandle barracuda conservation

There are currently no known conservation measures targeting the pickhandle barracuda.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Find out more

For more information on the pickhandle barracuda:

• FishBase:
  http://www.fishbase.org/

For more information on fish conservation:

• World Fisheries Trust:
  http://www.worldfish.org/

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

Fertilisation

The fusion of gametes (male and female reproductive cells) to produce an embryo, which grows into a new individual.

Spawning

The production or depositing of large quantities of eggs in water.

References

1. UNEP-WCMC (October, 2010)
   www.unep-wcmc.org
2. FishBase - pickhandle barracuda (October, 2010) 
   http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=4827
3. Heemstra, E. and Heemstra, P. (2004) Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. NISC and SAIAB, Grahamstown, South Africa.
4. Randall, J.E. and Hoover, J.P. (1995) Coastal Fishes of Oman. Crawford House Publishing Pty Ltd, Bathurst, Australia.
5. Hansford-Steele, B. (2004) African Fly-Fishing Handbook. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa.
6. Campbell, A. and Dawes, J. (2005) Encyclopedia of Underwater Life. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
7. Carpenter, K.E. and Niem, V.H. (2001) The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific Volume 6: Bony Fishes Part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), Estuarine Crocodiles, Sea Turtles, Sea Snakes and Marine Mammals. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rome. Available at:
   ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/y0870e/y0870e33.pdf
8. AustralianMuseum- pickhandle barracuda (October, 2010)
   http://australianmuseum.net.au/Pickhandle-Barracuda-Sphyraena-jello
9. South African Game Reserves - pickhandle barracuda (October, 2010)
   http://www.south-african-game-reserves.com/fish/pickhandlebarracuda.htm