Barracuda vs. Kingfish — What's the Difference?

A predatory, marine fish with sharp teeth and an elongated body.

Targeted by both commercial and recreational fishers.

Known for their speed and aggressive behavior in warm waters.

Valued for its flesh in culinary uses.

Capable of sudden bursts of speed to catch prey.

Found in the Atlantic, prized for its fighting ability.

Sometimes involved in unprovoked attacks on humans.

A large game fish popular in sport fishing, known for its speed.

Often found alone, barracudas can be intimidating to humans.

Favors warm waters and has a streamlined body for fast swimming.

A barracuda, or cuda for short, is a large, predatory, ray-finned fish known for its fearsome appearance and ferocious behaviour. The barracuda is a saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae which was named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815.

Any of several food and game fishes of the family Sciaenidae, especially of the genus Menticirrhus, found in western Atlantic waters.

Any of various predatory marine fishes of the genus Sphyraena, having an elongated body and a projecting lower jaw with fanglike teeth.

Any of various carangid fishes.

Any large marine fish of the genus Sphyraena that have elongated bodies, a projecting lower jaw, displaying prominent fang-shaped teeth, and are aggressive predators.

See king mackerel.

(figuratively) One who uses harsh or predatory means to compete.

(Informal) A person in a position of uncontested authority or influence, especially a powerful political leader.

Any of several voracious pikelike marine fishes allied to the gray mullets, constituting the genus Sphyræna and family Sphyrænidæ. The great barracuda (Sphyræna 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. Sphyræna Argentea of the Pacific coast and Sphyræna sphyræna of Europe are smaller species, and are used as food.

Any of several food fishes of the genus Menticirrhus from the Atlantic; kingcroakers.

A large edible fresh-water fish of Australia and New Zealand (Thyrsites atun).

Other Atlantic fish

Any voracious marine fish of the genus Sphyraena having an elongated cylindrical body and large mouth with projecting lower jaw and long strong teeth

Opah (Lampris guttatus), of the United Kingdom

White croaker (Genyonemus lineatus), of the United Kingdom

Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), of Barbados

King mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)

Any of several similar fishes of the Pacific.

(Scomberomorus commerson) of Australia

(Argyrosomus japonicus) of Australia

Yellowtail amberjack (Seriola lalandi) of Australia and New Zealand

(Rexea solandri) of Australia

Caranx

(Caranx hippos) of Mauritania

Giant trevally or travelli (Caranx ignobilis) of South Africa

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum), of warm waters globally.

An American marine food fish of the genus Menticirrus, especially Menticirrus saxatilis, or Menticirrus nebulosos, of the Atlantic coast; - called also whiting, surf whiting, and barb.

The lean flesh of any of several fish caught off the Atlantic coast of the United States

Large edible mackerel of temperate United States coastal Atlantic waters

Small silvery marine food fish found off California

Any of several food and game fishes of the drum family indigenous to warm Atlantic waters of the North American coast

Large game fish of Australia and New Zealand

Both can grow quite large, but kingfish generally are bulkier and can weigh more.

Barracudas primarily eat other fish and sometimes squid, using their speed and ambush tactics.

Barracudas are generally solitary hunters, unlike the more schooling kingfish.

Yes, barracudas can be dangerous and are known for occasional attacks, especially if provoked.

While both are carnivorous, barracudas may include more varied prey such as cephalopods, unlike kingfish that focus on schooling fish.

Kingfish (king mackerel) are primarily found in the Atlantic Ocean, not globally.

Barracudas are found near reefs and mangroves in tropical waters, while kingfish prefer open, warmer Atlantic waters.

Kingfish are prized for their speed and the challenge they present in fishing, making them popular among anglers.

Kingfish use their speed to chase down schools of smaller fish like herrings and sardines.

Kingfish have a higher market value and are more sought after commercially and recreationally than barracudas.

Yes, but it's less common due to the risk of ciguatera poisoning from consuming barracuda.

Large predatory fish and sharks can prey on smaller or younger barracudas.

Techniques include trolling and using live bait to attract kingfish during sport fishing events.

Barracudas are apex predators, helping control the populations of other marine species.