Yellowmouth barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
- Scientific name
- Sphyraena viridensis
- Group
- Reef fish
- Rarity
- Common
- Where to see it
- Mediterranean
- Conservation status (IUCN)
- Least concern
Did you know?
The yellowmouth barracuda often forms impressive schools of hundreds of individuals, especially as juveniles, swirling near the surface. Despite its intimidating reputation from its sharp teeth, it rarely bothers humans and prefers hunting small fish and squid.
What defines this group — Reef fish
The bony fish that live against coral and rock: the living backdrop of almost every dive.
- A bony skeleton, scales, and a rigid gill cover closing over the gills.
- A swim bladder acts as a float: they hold their depth without swimming.
- Many change colour, pattern — sometimes even sex — over the course of their life.
Other species in this group
- Ocellaris clownfish
- Blue tang
- Red lionfish
- Spot-fin porcupinefish
- Mediterranean moray
- Clark's anemonefish