Keeping Smaller Barracuda Species in Aquariums

[jacrispy516]

When we think of barracuda's we often think of the Great Barracuda which reach around 5 feet and are absolutely not suitable for a home aquarium. But there are other species of barracuda like the yellowtail barracuda (Sphyraena flavicauda) which reaches a max of 24 inches and on average 14-16 inches or the striped barracuda (Sphyraena obtusata) which only reaches a max size of 21 inches. Some tangs even grow to these lengths and I imagine require the same amount of swimming room. I especially love the yellowtail barracuda. Has anyone ever kept one and can you even buy one? They seem like a perfect fit for a predatory reef granted you'd have a large enough aquarium but I can't find information anywhere.

 

[landlubber]

there unfortunately isn't a lot of home aquariums built to suit a 24" fish that is fast as a bullet. some animals are just best left in the wild.

 

[Doctorgori]

you might need a big tank, get a muskie instead

 

[jacrispy516]

there unfortunately isn't a lot of home aquariums built to suit a 24" fish that is fast as a bullet. some animals are just best left in the wild.

Hmm so I'd imagine even an 8-10 foot aquarium would be too small due to their swimming speed?

 

[KrisReef]

They are a schooling fish, and i would guess they would like a pond over most aquariums, for size and depth needed to swim and hunt. They will probably be easy to feed (dead or frozen) or even pellets but are going to eat other fishes if they can fit them in their mouths.

 

[jacrispy516]

you might need a big tank, get a muskie instead

Oh my haha

 

[Sharkbait19]

You might be interested in the red tail barracuda - it’s a freshwater characin (same family as tetras and piranhas) that looks a lot like a barracuda, hence the name:

One would do well in a 125 gallon.

 

[jacrispy516]

They are a schooling fish, and i would guess they would like a pond over most aquariums, for size and depth needed to swim and hunt. They will probably be easy to feed (dead or frozen) or even pellets but are going to eat other fishes if they can fit them in their mouths.

I initially imagined they'd have similar spacial requirements to blue and yellow fusiliers which grow around 15 inches not far off from the average yellowtail barracuda at 14-16 and are also a schooling fish. But if even a tank large enough for fusiliers is too small maybe you're right about them needing something as large as a pond.

 

[jacrispy516]

You might be interested in the red tail barracuda - it’s a freshwater characin (same family as tetras and piranhas) that looks a lot like a barracuda, hence the name:

One would do well in a 125 gallon.

Ahh yes I've seen those before they are very cool. If I ever built a freshwater tank large enough to keep one I'd definitely consider them for a South American biotope.

 

[landlubber]

Hmm so I'd imagine even an 8-10 foot aquarium would be too small due to their swimming speed?

I had never even considered the schooling habit that also was mentioned and also makes a lot of sense. it'd be a task to keep it happy.
interestingly, Goliath Tigerfish somehow make it into the hobby but i've yet to see one get much over a foot in size.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I had never even considered the schooling habit that also was mentioned and also makes a lot of sense. it'd be a task to keep it happy.
interestingly, Goliath Tigerfish somehow make it into the hobby but i've yet to see one get much over a foot in size.

I’ve seen reports of a few at 3-4 feet - it takes a lot of work to get that size, most simply die before getting a chance.

 

[jacrispy516]

I’ve seen reports of a few at 3-4 feet - it takes a lot of work to get that size, most simply die before getting a chance.

Seems to be the case with a lot of predatory fish. I've heard most groupers don't reach their maximum size as well. I'd imagine they grow very quickly to their average size then the growth is significantly slower to reach closer to max recorded size. Even in 500+ gallon aquariums I'd imagine a miniatus grouper isn't reaching maximum potential.

 

[jacrispy516]

I had never even considered the schooling habit that also was mentioned and also makes a lot of sense. it'd be a task to keep it happy.
interestingly, Goliath Tigerfish somehow make it into the hobby but i've yet to see one get much over a foot in size.

I think it would be how essential is their schooling behavior. A lot of schooling species like batfish, tangs and sweetlips are fine in aquariums as a solo fish but we're talking about a completely different genera that nobody has really even kept. I'm sure it would take a few people trying them out and seeing what the deal is to determine how well fit they are for aquarium life.

 

[LPS Bum]

Sure, if you had a 50+ foot long aquarium. It's not just their max size. It's their speed and constant swimming nature.

That's a fine example of a fish that should just be left in the sea.

 

[Acroguy]

Hmm so I'd imagine even an 8-10 foot aquarium would be too small due to their swimming speed?

Even a 100 foot long aquarium would be small.

 

[Acroguy]

Whats next? Baby whale ?

 

[Jeremy_d]

Whats next? Baby whale ?

If the Georgia aquarium can do it so can I!

 

[vetteguy53081]

When we think of barracuda's we often think of the Great Barracuda which reach around 5 feet and are absolutely not suitable for a home aquarium. But there are other species of barracuda like the yellowtail barracuda (Sphyraena flavicauda) which reaches a max of 24 inches and on average 14-16 inches or the striped barracuda (Sphyraena obtusata) which only reaches a max size of 21 inches. Some tangs even grow to these lengths and I imagine require the same amount of swimming room. I especially love the yellowtail barracuda. Has anyone ever kept one and can you even buy one? They seem like a perfect fit for a predatory reef granted you'd have a large enough aquarium but I can't find information anywhere.

Smallest I’ve seen is 2-4 feet and the amount of food they require will leave you broke
You will need as example 4-6 sardines, cuttlefish, herring and similar to satisfy them daily and ability to maintain good water quality constantly

 

[Kraff813]

I used to have a small 3”-4” barracuda in a 265-gallon like 15 years ago. It was cool when it ate, but the rest of the time it’s a boring silver fish that hovers. It was short lived and ended up jumping out of the tank and dying. Wouldn’t recommend or do it again.