Pickhandle Barracuda, Sphyraena jello Cu
Pickhandle Barracuda, Sphyraena jello Cuvier, 1829
Scientific name: Sphyraena jello
Dingo-fish, Giant Sea-pike, Giant Seapike, Sea Pike, Slender Seapike
Pickhandle Barracuda, Sphyraena jello Image: Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO
© CC BY NC
Sphyraena
Sphyraenidae
The species grows to 1.5 m in length.
In Australia the Pickhandle Barracuda is known from the central coast of Western Australia around the tropical north of the country and south to the southern coast of New South Wales. It can be recognised by its colouration.
The Pickhandle Barracuda can be recognised by its colouration. It is silver with about 20 wavy bars on the sides of the body. The caudal fin is yellowish.
The species is usually found near coral reefs and in estuaries.
The species occurs in tropical and warm temperate waters of the Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia around the tropical north of the country and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The Pickhandle Barracuda is a schooling species.
Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
Sphyraenidae Pike Fish
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Hawaiian Triggerfish, Rhinecanthus aculeatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Orange Basslet, Pseudanthias squamipinnis (Peters, 1855)
Aulopidae: Sergeant Bakers, Aulopus
Dwarf Dory, Zenion sp.
Variegated Wrasse, Coris batuensis (Bleeker, 1857)
Scalyfin, Parma victoriae (Günther, 1863)
Lunartail Bigeye, Priacanthus hamrur (Forsskål, 1775)
Blobfish (aka Mr Blobby)
Beaked Coralfish, Chelmon rostratus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Brown Tang, Zebrasoma scopas (Cuvier, 1829)
Pale Surgeonfish, Acanthurus mata (Cuvier, 1829)
Snake Mackerel, Gempylus serpens Cuvier, 1829
Blotched Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys aprinus (Cuvier, 1829)
Blackfin Barracuda, Sphyraena qenie Klunzinger, 1870
Yellowtail Barracuda, Sphyraena obtusata Cuvier, 1829
Longfin Bigeye, Cookeolus japonicus (Cuvier, 1829)
Imperador, Beryx decadactylus Cuvier, 1829
Sand Whiting, Sillago ciliata Cuvier, 1829
Bigeye Barracuda, Sphyraena forsteri (Cuvier, 1829)
Cockatoo Waspfish, Ablabys taenianotus (Cuvier, 1829)
Great Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda (Edwards, 1771)