Family: Sphyraenidae, Barracudas view all from this family

Description To 4' (1.2 m); 18 lbs (8 kg). Very elongate, cylindrical, cigar-shaped; bluish to brownish above, silvery below, caudal fin yellow. Snout long, pointed; tip of lower jaw extends beyond upper. Large canine teeth present. Pelvic fin inserted under first dorsal fin origin. Spinous dorsal fin widely separated from soft dorsal fin, soft dorsal fin mirror image of anal fin.

Habitat Near shore in surface waters and around outer edges of kelp beds to 60' (18 m).

Range From Kodiak Island, Alaska, to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California.

Discussion After they mature at about 2 years of age, Pacific Barracudas spawn during the summer. Also known as California Barracudas, they are deemed excellent food and are highly prized by anglers. They are more abundant off Southern California during warm-water years. The annual sport catch has fluctuated from 100,000 to 1 million fish.