It is related to the great mackerel family and its allies. It is an important commercial fish. The Barracouta is a pelagic fish, travelling in schools and has been known to grow to a length of 1.5 metres, although an average size is around 1 metre and weighing 2.5kg. It has an elongated, compressed body which is covered with minute, easily dislodged scales. The Barracouta have 3 large vicious teeth under it's upper front lip, followed by rows of very sharp, flat cutting teeth in each jaw.
Barracouta eggs are small, transparent and pelagic.
Fry inhabit sheltered waters of bays and estuaries and grow very quickly, reaching 30cm by the end of the first year. Although they are a pelagic fish, they can be found in schools at all depths down to forty fathoms. They feed and travel very close to the coast. They will feed on small baitfish such as anchovies and pilchards, jack mackerel and krill. They are active, savage hunters and are driven on by a voracious appetite.