Any of several voracious pikelike marine fishes allied to the gray mullets, constituting the genus Sphyraena and family Sphyraenidae. The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) of the West Indies, Florida, etc., is often six feet or more long, and as dangerous as a shark. In Cuba its flesh is reputed to be poisonous. Sphyraena Argentea of the Pacific coast and Sphyraena sphyraena of Europe are smaller species, and are used as food. Note: That of Europe and our Atlantic coast is Sphyraena spet (or Sphyraena vulgaris); a southern species is Sphyraena picuda; the Californian is Sphyraena argentea.
