By Travis Rabun

Class Osteichthyes Order Perciformes

Family Sphyraenidae

Sphyraena barracuda– The Great Barracuda

Sphyraena is the only genus in the family Elongated fish, with pike-like appearance Have fang like teeth like paranhas Long pointed heads

Some have underbites Rely on surprise and short burst of speed to kill

prey

Lives near reefs at around 1-100 meters Has an emarginate tail fin with pale tips

on each lobe Have black blotches on the lower sides of

the fish Long and silver with a flattened head

Feed on small fish, cephalopods, and sometimes shrimp

Rarely attack humans, and is rarely fatal Largest was 5.5 feet, 103 lbs. Barracuda meat is poisonous, and can be

dangerous to eat Also illegal to sell barracuda meat

Class Osteichthyes Order Perciformes

Family Mullidae

Pseudupeneus malactus—Spotted Goatfish

Tropical marine fish Also known as “red mullets” Have a chemosensory barbels protruding from

chin to help search for food in substrate By day form non feeding schools for protection

from predetors Can change their color based on activity (feeding,

mating, etc.)

Live near reefs at a depth range of 1-90 meters

Distinguishable by a series of three large blackish blotches on upper side of body beneath dorsal fins

Typically pale in color with three black/red blotches on its sides

Feed on small invertebrates Highly esteemed in fish markets Goatfish have two barbels extending

form the chin, these are used to probe the sand for food