Sphyraena arabiansis Abdussamad & Retheesh, 2015
Arabian barracuda
Sphyraena arabiansis
photo by Bineesh, K.K.

Family:  Sphyraenidae (Barracudas)
Max. size:  142 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: off south-west coast of India, in the Arabian Sea and around the Lakshadweep Islands and adjacent seamounts.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-9. This large sized barracuda is distinguished by the following characters. along the body are numerous, small cycloid scales; 118-122 lateral line scales; a broad, rounded maxilla ending vertically below before the anterior margin of the eye; with a narrow interorbital area (4.20-5.13 in head length); prominently pointed are the paired central lobes of the caudal fin; very prominent lateral line curved before the origin of first dorsal fin; branchiostegal membrane in the opercular region is white; body without black spots (Ref. 111545).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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