Red Tail Barracuda, scientifically known as Acestrorhynchus falcatus, is a freshwater fish found in the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers in Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana.
This fish was first described by Marcus Elieser Bloch in 1794. A parasite called Piscinoodinium pillulare affects this fish.
Red Tail Barracuda eats other smaller fish and is considered a strong predator due to its teeth and body shape.
It’s commonly found in waters with moderate flow rates. While not highly sought after by commercial fisheries, it can still be caught for sale.
You can check out what this fish looks like over here.
Red Tail Barracuda Interesting Facts
- Red Tail Barracuda is a strong predator found in South American rivers, known for its teeth and body shape.
- This fish grows up to 11.8 inches (30.0 centimeters) long and has distinct markings near its gills and tail base.
- Reproduction occurs during the rainy season, helping maintain population levels in their habitats.
- Susceptible to the parasite Piscinoodinium pillulare, the protective layer on spores provides some defense.
Red Tail Barracuda Habitat
Red Tail Barracuda is a tropical freshwater fish found in South America.
It lives in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins, as well as rivers in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
This fish swims near the bottom of these water bodies and prefers warm temperatures.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Red Tail Barracuda Physical Characteristics
Size: 11.8 inches (30.0 centimeters)
Red Tail Barracuda grows up to 11.8 inches (30.0 centimeters) long and weighs up to 255 grams.
It has 2 dorsal spines, 9 dorsal soft rays, 3 to 5 anal spines, and 21 to 27 anal soft rays.
Red Tail Barracuda has a unique teardrop-shaped spot near its gills that covers at least one-fourth of its body height.
It also has a black spot on the base of its tail that covers between one-third and almost all of its depth.
The spore body of this fish has two shell valves that stick together forming an ellipse shape.
Each valve has a long tail measuring around 20.5 meters with a sheath covering it.
The polar capsules have three to four spirals of arctic thread inside them.
The entire surface of immature and mature spores is covered by a protective layer that’s thicker at the tails.
Red Tail Barracuda Reproduction
Red Tail Barracuda breeds during the rainy season, increasing its population as needed throughout its habitat range.
Red Tail Barracuda Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Acestrorhynchidae |
| Genus: | Acestrorhynchus |
| Scientific Name: | Acestrorhynchus falcatus |
| Also Known As: | Red Tail Barracuda |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |