Barracouta

How to identify barracouta

A long, slender, strongly flattened fish with a steely blue back fading to silver below. The front of the first dorsal fin has a black blotch. A single lateral line runs high along the back under the first dorsal fin, then curves sharply down towards the belly. The lower jaw sticks out and the upper jaw has several pairs of long, fang-like teeth. A row of 5 to 7 small finlets sits behind both the second dorsal and anal fins.

Where it lives in New Zealand

Found right around mainland New Zealand, the Snares and the Chatham Islands, and most common around the South Island. Barracouta form large schools in coastal and offshore waters, often near the surface, and adults range down to about 400 m. Young fish live inshore in less than 100 m. Tagging showed that mature fish from the east coast of the South Island move north after June to spawn off the east coast of the North Island in August and September.

How to catch it

Barracouta are often caught while fishing for other species, especially in the southern half of the South Island. Almost all recreational catch is taken on rod and reel from boats. Most are kept as bait rather than eaten. Handle them carefully: the long, fang-like teeth cut easily.

Eating

Soft white flesh with a rich, distinctive flavour. The raw flesh is darker and whitens when cooked. Barracouta is not widely eaten in New Zealand today, but it smokes very well and can also be grilled, fried, baked or barbecued. Bold seasonings and marinades suit it.

Recipes

• Green fish curry (Seafood New Zealand)

Good to know

Barracouta grow quickly, mature at about 50 to 60 cm at 2 to 3 years old and rarely live past 10 years. They are managed under the Quota Management System.

Questions

Is barracouta good to eat?

It is edible but not widely eaten in New Zealand today. The soft white flesh has a rich, distinctive flavour and whitens when cooked. It smokes very well and can be grilled, fried, baked or barbecued, and bold seasonings and marinades suit it. Most recreational catch is kept as bait.

What is the difference between barracouta and gemfish?

Check the lateral line. Barracouta have a single lateral line that runs high under the first dorsal fin, then curves sharply down towards the belly. Gemfish have a forked lateral line, with a second, wavy branch along the middle of the side. Both have a black blotch on the first dorsal fin.

Do barracouta have sharp teeth?

Yes. The upper jaw has several pairs of long, fang-like teeth and the lower jaw sticks out. The teeth cut easily, so handle barracouta carefully when unhooking them and keep your fingers clear of the mouth.

Is barracouta the same as barracuda?

No. Barracouta (Thyrsites atun) is a cool-water fish common around southern New Zealand. Barracuda are tropical fish in a different family. Barracouta often carry worms in the flesh, which is the main reason many anglers use them as bait, though some rate them highly smoked.