Sphyraena guachancho

Sphyraena guachancho
Guaguanche – Sphyraena guachancho
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
SphyraenidaeSphyraena guachanchoCuvier1829Guaguanche

Sphyraena guachancho

Unique Characters: Pelvic fins inserted in front of origin of first dorsal fin, about midway between anterior tip of lower jaw and base of last anal-fin ray. Pectoral fins reaching beyond base of pelvic fins, and to about origin of first dorsal fin. Maxillary reaching to or slightly beyond anterior margin of orbit in adults. Lateral-line scales 108-122. Body greyish or olive brown above, sides silvery with a yellow to golden stripe. No dark bars on body (except small juveniles with broad black bars encircling body). Edges of pelvic fins, anal fin, and middle rays of caudal fin blackish. No lobes on posterior margin of caudal fin. Last rays of soft dorsal and anal fins elongate, 1.4-2.0 times longer than penultimate rays.

Similar Species:

Sennet
Sphyraena borealis

Great Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda

Sphyraena borealis
Sennet – Sphyraena borealis – FL
Photo Credit: Dan Marotta – Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Sphyraena barracuda
Great Barracuda – Sphyraena barracuda

Sennet Sphyraena borealis. Pelvic fins inserted directly under origin of first dorsal fin, much nearer base of last anal-fin ray than anterior tip of lower jaw. Pectoral fins not reaching base of pelvic fins and well short of origin of first dorsal fin. Maxillary not reaching anterior margin of orbit.

Barracuda Sphyraena barracuda. Pelvic fins inserted in front of origin of first dorsal fin, about midway between anterior tip of lower jaw and base of last anal-fin ray. Pectoral fins reaching beyond base of pelvic fins, and to about origin of first dorsal fin. Maxillary reaching to or slightly beyond anterior margin of orbit in adults. Lateral-line scales 75-87. Body greyish brown above, silvery below, with oblique dark bars on upper half, not across lateral line except in juveniles (less than 15 cm standard length). Many conspicuous, irregular, small black botches on lower sides in adults (greater than 15 cm standard length). Caudal fin black with white tips in fresh specimens, a pair of large lobes on the posterior margin in adults. Last rays of soft dorsal and anal fins not notably longer than penultimate rays.

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