Fauna
Species

Guinean Barracuda

Sphyraena afra

Also known as West African Barracuda

Guinean barracudas are powerful ambush predators patrolling coastal waters, lagoons, and continental shelf depths along West Africa. Armed with formidable knife-like teeth and streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies, they execute sudden, high-speed bursts to seize schooling fish. While adults often hunt solitary runs in offshore waters, juveniles tend to gather in protective mangrove estuaries and sheltered coastal bays.

PredatorMarinePiscivore
Guinean Barracuda reference
Lucy Keith-Diagne / CC BY 4.0 · CC BY 4.0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Data DeficientConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXData Deficient — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMullet, Sardines, Penaeid shrimp
Predators
  • Large sharks
  • Dolphins
ThreatsCommercial trawling, artisanal fisheries, and coastal habitat degradation
HabitatsCoastal marine waters, continental shelves, estuaries, and brackish lagoons down to 75 meters
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. FamilySphyraenidae
  2. SpeciesSphyraena afra
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Large individuals have powerful jaws and sharp teeth; avoid spearfishing or handling them in the water.
Why it is dangerous
Possesses razor-sharp, double-edged teeth and immense jaw force capable of inflicting deep, tearing lacerations.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by an elongated silvery body marked with dark vertical chevrons and a prominent, jutting lower jaw.
What to do
Do not corner or touch when diving, and keep hands well clear of the mouth if handling an landed catch.
Responsible observation
  • Diving Etiquette: Maintain a respectful distance and avoid carrying shiny metallic objects that can mimic struggling prey.
  • Angler Safety: Use long pliers and wire traces when unhooking catches to prevent severe lacerations from their razor-sharp teeth.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…