Barracuda

Fish Species of North Queensland

Barracuda – Sphyraena Barracuda

Giant Barracuda, Akerstrom’s Sea-pike, Dingo-fish, Giant Sea-pike, Small-eyed Barracuda

Most “Cuda” are caught while fishing for other more desirable species. They will hit a lure hard and offer a spectacular jumping fight, often destroying lighter lures with their impressive array of big dog like teeth. Bait fishing can also produce.

Small specimens are quite common in our rivers and tidal estuaries, especially during the summer months, with larger fish to 20kg caught on the reef.

Most fish are released to fight another day, the larger specimens are suspected to carry the debilitating disease ciguatera which causes severe problems like vomiting, headaches, loss of sensation and fever. Eating this species should be avoided.