Ecology of Sphyraena barracuda
 
Main Ref. Myers, R.F., 1991
Remarks Found predominantly at or near the surface (Refs. 6949, 9773). Juveniles occur among mangroves (Also Ref. 128694), estuaries (Also Ref. 9773) and shallow sheltered inner reef areas; adults occur in a wide range of habitats from murky inner harbors to open seas. Feeds on fishes, cephalopods and sometimes on shrimps (Ref. 9626). Feeds during the day as well as at night (diurnal and nocturnal). Juveniles prefer brackishwater areas, bays and stream mouths. Piscivore (Refs. 33499, 57616, 9773). Pelagic. Forms shoals but large adults can be found in isolation. Dwells in coral reefs. Has a reputation of attacking swimmers and divers, though as of yet no reports have been made in Oman (Ref. 9773).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Sphyraena barracuda may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Pelagic;
Substrate Ref. Al-Abdessalaam, T.Z.S., 1995
Special habitats Beds: sea grass; Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref. Nguyen, N.T. and V.Q. Nguyen, 2006

Associations

Ref. Al-Abdessalaam, T.Z.S., 1995
Associations solitary; shoaling;
Associated with
Association remarks Diurnal and solitary, but can also be found in small aggregations.
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Honebrink, R., 1990
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Honebrink, R., 1990
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 4.49 0.55 4.32 0.70 Troph of juv./adults from 2 studies.
From individual food items 4.50 0.83 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Sierra, L.M., R. Claro and O.A. Popova, 1994
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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