Ecology Sphyraena viridensis

in summer form schools of 180 fish, although schools number 30-40 fish, in areas there strong currents. these schools predominantly made of sub-adult fish smaller fish nearer surface , larger, female, fish @ bottom of school @ depths of 30m. in winter aggregations small groups of juveniles in shallow bays. no territorial behaviour observed. schooling thought anti predator defence , facilitate mating smaller males being attracted larger females, in addition groups of barracudas more successful in hunting prey fish single fish. species not appear mix other barracuda species in mixed schools there reports of these fish associating whale sharks in azores , instance of them actively swimming towards manta ray mobula tarapacana.

in azores juveniles of sphyraena viridensis preyed upon lizard fish synodus saurus, predation shows there overlap in habitat between juvenile barracudas , lizard fish occur in sheltered, enclosed bays sandy substrates.