Heller's barracuda
📖 Overview
Heller's barracuda (Sphyraena helleri), first described by Jenkins, 1901 is a large fish in the family Sphyraenidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 54.60 cm in maximum length and up to 1.800 kg. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 10 to 104 metres. It occurs in Subtropical waters. Diet is predominantly piscivorous, targeting other fish and larger prey. The species active primarily at night. The species is important as a food fish. As a member of the Sphyraenidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: first gill arch with one gill raker; pelvic-fin insertion is located slightly before vertical through first dorsal-fin origin; pored lateral-line scales 121-127, total lateral-line scales 132-134; scales above lateral line 12-13 and below 14-15; snout comparatively long, its length 15.0-16.4% SL; upper jaw long, the posterior tip reaching to or beyond anterior nostril, but not reaching to below posterior nostril, its length 11.9-12.9% SL; eye large, orbit diameter 4.8-5.9 % SL and depth 4.8-5.6% SL; anal-fin base somewhat short, its length 6.8-7.5% SL; last dorsal- and anal-fin ray lengths 4.2-4.3% SL and 3.6-4.7% SL, respectively; anus is comparatively close to anal-fin origin, its anterior and posterior margins to anal-fin origin 6.5-8.2 % HL and 4.1-4.9% HL, respectively; the head sensory canal pores on suborbital area are simple or sometimes slightly branched, their lowermost parts very close to lacrimal bone margin, large smooth area lacking canal pores absent on mid-margin of lacrimal bone. Colouration: lateral surface of body no stripes or bands; caudal fin gray .Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Heller's barracuda is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 104 m . Subtropical; 23°N - 18°N, 161°W - 154°W
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Heller's barracuda is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 141 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Heller's barracuda has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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