European Barracuda - Sphyraena sphyraena - Cruising among Reef Fish

A European Barracuda cruises through the blue water at Cirkewwa Reef, Malta, surrounded by numerous smaller reef fish.

The European Barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena) has a long, streamlined and laterally compressed body with an elongated head, pointed snout and a prominent lower jaw armed with sharp teeth. Its two dorsal fins are widely separated, while the deeply forked tail provides powerful propulsion through open water. The upper body is generally bluish-grey to greenish, becoming silvery along the flanks and underside, with darker markings often visible along the sides. This predatory fish inhabits coastal and offshore waters throughout the Mediterranean and adjoining eastern Atlantic and is found from the surface to about 100 metres depth. It feeds predominantly on other fishes, with cephalopods and crustaceans also forming part of its diet. European Barracuda can reach approximately 165 centimetres in total length, although individuals around 60 centimetres are more typical. This photograph captures a Barracuda moving through open water at Cirkewwa Reef in Malta among numerous smaller reef fish.