Striped Sea-pike, colour. Sphyraenella obtusata (Cuvier). Grant's "Guide to Fishes" (1965) p.56

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Artwork by Frank Olsen

Also known as the Yellowstripe Barracuda, this fish is a relatively small schooling species that occures in coastal and estuarine waters of tropical and temperate Australia.

This species is yellowish or greenish to brown above and silvery below. It usually has two stripes on the side of the body, and sometimes a line of whitish bars may be present on the upper side.

It has an elongate body but is actually shorter thatn most other barracudas. It’s maximum length is around 55 m. The first dorsal fin is positioned over the tip of the pectoral fin (versus well behind it).

This fish inhabits bays and estuaries; it is found in schools in seagrass beads and rocky reefs. A voracious carnivore, it actively hunts small fishes.

Description source: Australian Museum, Fishes of Australia, FishBase

Image source: Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 6248

Spread the love

See Full Post >>