Sphyraena barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda (Edwards in Catesby 1771) —Great barracuda (Fig. 148)

Status at New Ireland. First recorded from Kavieng, New Ireland and St. Mathias as Sphyraena picuda by Duncker & Mohr (1926: 130), based on ZMH 11900, 11902; subsequently reported as S. picuda from New Hanover, St. Georges Channel and southwest coast, New Ireland, and Feni and Green islands by Munro (1958: 149–150). Specimens observed by Jeff Kinch during CFMDP Survey at Kavieng fish market in 2004–2005, and by Barry C. Russell during 14–28 June 2014. Specimens photographed at Lissenung Island by Dietmar Amon on 17 Oct. 2007, another at St. KVG 17 on the Bismarck Sea side of northern Kavieng District by Serge Andréfouët on 18 Aug. 2014.

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.—General distribution: In all tropical seas except the eastern Pacific; in the western Pacific Ocean south to northern Australia and Lord Howe Island. Juveniles occur in estuaries and shallow sheltered inner reef areas; adults are found in a wide range of habitats from murky inner harbours to open seas, 1–100 m depth. Transitional water and marine.