Is this a Pike?
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545 Posts
Hi Nic,
There are two types of Pike common to the southern coast of Oz - short and long finned (the short finned pike is usually referred to as a snook and are sometimes misidentified as barracuda as they are both from the same family - sphyraena). Your location states you are in Noosa, which is a bit far north for Pike (I would have thought) but is well within the barracuda zone. Barracuda typically have distinctive vertical stripe type markings on their body which your fish does not (however it looks like the fish has been scaled prior to the photo being taken which may be deceptive). Also note that Barracuda and Barracouta are two different species with the latter typically being a southern fish and having a distinctive tail and dorsal fin.
The fish's anal fin and andipose fin (the one on top behind the dorsal) look like those of a snook. Also, if you recall any vertical stripes or marks on the fish prior to scaling then it is a more likely a barracuda.
Although the photo makes it difficult to see the dorsal fin, your description (of it being fatter than you expected) and the fish's tail makes me second guess myself as those features make the fish look more like a long finned pike.
In summary, it looks like a pike in the photo, and maybe/probably a short finned one at that. Please someone correct me if they think otherwise.
I have attached some photos for comparison.
There are two types of Pike common to the southern coast of Oz - short and long finned (the short finned pike is usually referred to as a snook and are sometimes misidentified as barracuda as they are both from the same family - sphyraena). Your location states you are in Noosa, which is a bit far north for Pike (I would have thought) but is well within the barracuda zone. Barracuda typically have distinctive vertical stripe type markings on their body which your fish does not (however it looks like the fish has been scaled prior to the photo being taken which may be deceptive). Also note that Barracuda and Barracouta are two different species with the latter typically being a southern fish and having a distinctive tail and dorsal fin.
The fish's anal fin and andipose fin (the one on top behind the dorsal) look like those of a snook. Also, if you recall any vertical stripes or marks on the fish prior to scaling then it is a more likely a barracuda.
Although the photo makes it difficult to see the dorsal fin, your description (of it being fatter than you expected) and the fish's tail makes me second guess myself as those features make the fish look more like a long finned pike.
In summary, it looks like a pike in the photo, and maybe/probably a short finned one at that. Please someone correct me if they think otherwise.
I have attached some photos for comparison.
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545 Posts
small dark spots - definitely a barracuda then.
Eating qualities - quoted from Sportsfish Australia: Barracuda flesh is not held in particularly high regard in Australia, since it is somewhat grey, coarse and rather strong smelling. The species is also a possible ciguatera poisoning risk, and larger specimens should not be eaten in known ciguatera locations.
Yours is a juvenile - it should taste better than the larger ones - I'd be interested to know your impressions.
Eating qualities - quoted from Sportsfish Australia: Barracuda flesh is not held in particularly high regard in Australia, since it is somewhat grey, coarse and rather strong smelling. The species is also a possible ciguatera poisoning risk, and larger specimens should not be eaten in known ciguatera locations.
Yours is a juvenile - it should taste better than the larger ones - I'd be interested to know your impressions.
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705 Posts
Looks like what I call a Pike but others often refer to as snook.
I'm not sure of the difference but a customer told me last week Snook grow 80cm plus where as Pike dont.
Got me buggered. Both make good Thai Fish Cakes.
Cheers
Scott
I'm not sure of the difference but a customer told me last week Snook grow 80cm plus where as Pike dont.
Got me buggered. Both make good Thai Fish Cakes.
Cheers
Scott
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5,058 Posts
Gday Nic,
I'd be thinking cudda too i don't think pike are that far north and snook are definately a southern fish. There all from the same family of fish hence the similarities.
I'd be going for the fish cakes.
Cheers Dave
I'd be thinking cudda too i don't think pike are that far north and snook are definately a southern fish. There all from the same family of fish hence the similarities.
I'd be going for the fish cakes.
Cheers Dave
Yeah thats a Barracudda for sure.
Yes you can eat them we use to fillet them and foil them up and in the barbie for 20 mins lemon and garlic yummy!!!!!
they grow real big up north.
And big numbers. I have seen them in hundreds from underneth and theylook awsome they allcircle and glide around as a pack. 8)
Yes you can eat them we use to fillet them and foil them up and in the barbie for 20 mins lemon and garlic yummy!!!!!
they grow real big up north.
And big numbers. I have seen them in hundreds from underneth and theylook awsome they allcircle and glide around as a pack. 8)
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1,565 Posts
I doubt it would be a ciguatera risk at that size Mick, but probably not really worth keeping all the same, pike on the other hand are quite tasty.
You will definitely find pike around noosa, but they have yellow fins, otherwise look very similar to this fish.
You will definitely find pike around noosa, but they have yellow fins, otherwise look very similar to this fish.
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