Barracouta

Thyrsites atun

Sea Life Native IUCN: Not Evaluated

About

These are voracious predators have long fang-like teeth and often form large schools and are common across the bay.

Identification

A long slender strongly compressed fish with a steely-blue back becoming silvery below, a black blotch at the front of the dorsal fin, and a single lateral line that runs along the back below the dorsal-fin base before abruptly curving ventrally.

Size

Can grow to around 200cm

Habitat

Inhabits near surface waters, and sometimes enters open bays and estuaries

Distribution

Southern Australia From WA to NSW including Tasmania. Elsewhere the species is circumglobal in the Southern Hemisphere.

Local Sightings

1 recorded sighting in and around the area.

References & citations (2)
  1. Bray, D.J. & Schultz, S. 2020, Thyrsites atun in Fishes of Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
  2. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)

Header image: (CC BY-NC 4.0) © Dion Maple

Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into making sure identifications, descriptions, sizes, habitats and distribution details are as accurate as possible — but this information is ever-changing, so no guarantee is offered that it is correct or currently valid. Treat it as a guide and do a little of your own research for the latest word. Feedback and corrections are always welcome.