Fish Identification Photos: Mexican Barracuda, Sphyraena ensis: The Mexican Barracuda is characterized by its overall "barracuda-like" appearance with a predominant silver coloration with black markings including a strong lateral line and chevron markings along its sides. The Mexican Barracuda has a grey caudal fin. The pelvic fins originate under the pectoral fin tips and well before the first dorsal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked.

The Mexican Barracuda might be confused with the Blackfin Barracuda, Sphyraena genie (slender, caudal fin with lobes, dark anal, caudal and dorsal fins); the Lucas’ Barracuda, Sphyraena lucasana (faint bars on upper back, pale fins); or the Pacific Barracuda, Sphyraena argentea (blue-brown back, faint oblique bars above the prominent dark lateral line, silver below, pelvic fin originates under the first dorsal fin).

The Mexican Barracuda is a member of the Sphyraenidae or Barracuda Family. It is found in the first 50 feet of the water column, in and around reefs. It is not found on the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula. On the eastern side of Baja it is only found between Cabo San Lucas and La Paz; the Mexican Barracuda is found along the coast of the mainland from Guaymas south to Guatemala, but its appears to be absent from the oceanic islands. It reaches a maximum length of 5 feet, and normally range between 12 and 15 pounds in weight; the world I.F.G.A. record as of 2004 is 33.6 pounds, caught in Mexican waters.

Mexican Barracuda, Sphyraena ensis: Caught in the surf zone, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, in August 2007, water temperature 86-degrees, early morning in 5 to 10-foot deep water utilizing a cast net by panguero bait salesmen. Size approximately 15 inches. Description and photos courtesy of John Snow. Mexican Barracuda, Sphyraena ensis: Shows up when one purchases a “scoop of bait.” Caught in the surf zone, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, during the winter months, with water temperatures below 78 degrees, early morning, in 5 to 10 foot deep water, utilizing a net cast by a panguero bait salesmen. Size approximately 10 inches and about 1 pound. Not viewed by locals to be of great value. Can be used as cut bait. Does not survive a panga “bait tank” at a high level. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.

Mexican Barracuda, Sphyraena ensis: Photo courtesy John Snow. Mexican Barracuda, Sphyraena ensis: Caught at Ixtapa, Mexico, February 2007. Photo courtesy Paul Phillips.