Blackfin barracuda

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Blackfin barracuda (Sphyraena qenie), also known as the chevron barracuda, is a large, aggressive predator found across the Indo-Pacific. It lives in tropical and warm temperate waters and is commonly seen around coral reefs.

Distribution and habitat
- Range: From the Red Sea and East Africa to the Indo-Pacific and Western Pacific, all the way to French Polynesia.
- It is rare in the tropical East Pacific and has been spotted around Japan's Ryukyu Islands. Adults migrate within warm waters, and summer sightings occur near Okinoerabu Island (July–October).
- Habitat: Usually on coral reefs down to about 50 meters, forming large schools. It leaves the reef in late afternoon to dusk to hunt in deeper water.
- The first recorded sighting in Indian waters was in 1966.

Size and appearance
- Size: Up to about 140 cm (55 inches) long.
- Markings: Long black lateral bands run along the body, about 18–22 bands forming a V shape with the apex toward the front. The tail fin is dark.
- Distinctive features: The upper jaw is shorter than the lower jaw, and the mouth has a pointed upper jaw. The species lacks some features found in other barracudas.

How it differs from similar species
- Sphyraena qenie has about 19–20 longitudinal scale rows near the middle and ventral margin of the eye, while S. putnamae has 11–15.
- The number of scales between the eye and preopercular margin differs (about 25–27 in S. qenie vs 15–20 in S. putnamae).
- S. qenie also has a shorter upper jaw, a longer lower jaw, and the first dorsal and pelvic fins are positioned more toward the front; the anal fin and second dorsal have longer anterior rays.
- Compared to S. nigripinnis, S. qenie’s caudal fin shape and fin proportions help tell them apart.

Fishing and uses
- Not a favored sport fish, but it is caught by longlines.
- Its flesh is delicate and flavorful, and it is sometimes used as bait for tuna.

Mercury note
- A study in remote Oceania found relatively high mercury levels in reef predators like this species, suggesting caution about eating top-trophic reef fish in some areas.