Overview
Elongated and fast predator, often in schools, active especially at dusk and night.
Identification
Large mouth with sharp teethBlack caudal lobesDark lines on the sidesYellow mask around the mouthLong pectoral finsParticularly smooth skin
- Body
- Elongated and slender body with a pointed head.
- Colouration
- Silver-gray with bright sides and a distinctive yellow mouth.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Not very evident
- Growth
- Medium, reaches maturity in a few years
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sphyraenidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Sphyraena sphyraenaSphyraena barracudaSphyraena obtusataSphyraena jelloSphyraena forsteri
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- sand, rock, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent waters of the eastern Atlantic.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides among rocks and corals, often hunting near the surface in open waters.
Prefers clear and temperate waters, rich in hiding spots.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- smaller fish, mullet, small cuttlefish
- Secondary prey
- crustaceans, squid, shrimp
- Occasional prey
- plankton, small invertebrates
- Feeding behaviour
- Active hunter, often in schools, attacks quickly when prey is spotted.
- Natural predators
- sharks, large tuna, swordfish
Prefers hunting by sight in clear waters, using twilight to surprise prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- crepuscular
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Resident, with small seasonal movements.
- Seasonal behaviour
- More active during the warmer months, follows food currents.
- Juveniles
- Young fish stay closer to the shore and in shallower waters.
- Adults
- Moves to deeper and open waters as it matures.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, small and transparent.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic until they reach safe sizes.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Yellowmouth barracuda
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daytramonto
Nightnotte, tarda sera
This species shows peak fishing activity in summer, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in autumn and winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Hunts near surface and harbour lights.
Medium
Regular activity, follows schools.
High
Deeper, less visible on surface.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
16°COptimal zone: 20-27°C30°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
reefscoral reefsrocky coastal areasports
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
spinningjiggingtrollingspearfishing
Other applicable
SpinningPoppingTraina CostieraLive BaitingRock FishingSpinning LeggeroSpinning MedioSpinning PesanteBeach FishingBolentinoBolentino MedioBolentino PesantePesca A Mosca In MareShore JiggingSlow JiggingSpinning VeloceStreamerSurfcastingSurfcasting MedioSurfcasting NotturnoSurfcasting PesanteTraina Col VivoTrolling OceanicoVertical Jigging
Recommended baits
fresh baitfishluressea wormsshrimp
Baits by pressure
Low
JerkbaitMetal jig leggero (20-40g)Minnow affondanteStickbait WTDTube lureWire rig con esca vivaCucchiaino ondulante
Medium
Sardina vivaAcciuga vivaEsca viva (generica)Pezzo di pesceTrancio di sardina
High
JerkbaitMetal jig leggero (20-40g)Minnow affondante
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fighting, with rapid bursts and sudden runs.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid sharp teeth.
- Release
- Release quickly to avoid thermal stress.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The Mediterranean barracuda can reach lengths of 1.5 meters and weights over 26 lbs. While there is no specific IGFA record for this species, notable catches are frequently reported in Mediterranean waters. For example, specimens over 22 lbs have been caught around the southern islands of Italy.
- In the kitchen
- Used in fish soups and grilled dishes, highly appreciated in coastal regions of Italy.
- Cultural notes
- Valued for its flavorful meat, it symbolizes strength in local myths.
- Historical notes
- Always a target for fishing in the Mediterranean seas, it has been noted in navigation accounts since antiquity.
