Captured Species
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Photo	Names
Image courtesy of: Regulatory Fish Encyclopedia, Office of Seafood and Office of Regulatory Affairs, US Food and Drug Administration.	Latin: Sphyraena spp. French: Barracuda, becume German: Amerikanischer pfeilhecht Spanish: Picuda barracuda Russian: Barakuda Japanese: Kamasu

Description

Baracuda are warm-water fish that are known for their fierce contenance and sharp teeth. They belong to the Sphyreana family. There are five commercially important varieties of the baracuda. The great baracuda and the pacific baracuda are the most important of these five. Baracuda range from 60 to 180 cm(24-72 ins)in length although some adults can grow to more than 360 cm (12 ft) in length. The typical baracuda weighs between 2 to 4 kg (4-9lbs) Being a fish of warm tropical waters, it can ingest the organisms that create the ciguatera toxin. As a result only smaller baracuda are harvested for market.

Markets	Commercial Aspects
Exporting Countries Capture: United States, Mexico Primary Consumers Japan, United States	Tonnage production: Pricing: Common Product Forms:

Production Trends

Diet/Health Info

Production Trends

Since the baracuda is a tropical fish, there is the threat of ciguatera poisoning. Ciguatera is found in fish that feed on a specific plankton around underwater reefs. The plankton creates a toxin that accumulated in the fish's tissues. The toxin does not affect the fish, but is harmful for human consumption. Since the ciguatera toxin is area specific and not species specific, buyers should know the origin of the fish they purchase.

The Global Supply

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