COMMON NAMES: Great Barracuda, Barracouta [alt. spelling], Great Barracuda; German Grosser Barrakuda; French Barracuda

TRADITIONAL NAMES: Ono (RR MK MT PL TS TW), Onoono < Ono (MG), ‘Ono (AT), Ono / Tarā Ono < Tātua Ono < Ono (AK), Wono (PK); Other Polynesian - Ono (TAH), Kaokao (MQA)

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: NATIVE e.Africa to Tuamotus, Hawai‘i; n. to s.Japan; s. to Norfolk; tropical Atlantic - Caribbean

COOK ISLANDS STATUS: Native; PLUS: Ciguatoxic (MT 1984); Marine, pelagic, often near reefs; In murky conditions it is known to attack people, also when speared. In clear water, unprovoked, it is not a threat. It is solitary during the day and often approaches divers. Well known for ciguatera

SIGNIFICANCE LIST: ; Injurous bite - serious

KEY FEATURES: Sleek fish to 170cm and 40kg, with upper-side bars and white-tipped back tail and hind fins. Body dark above, with silvery sides and belly; upper-sides with ~17 oblique grey bars; lower-sides with a few dark spots. 1st Dorsal, Pectorals and Ventrals pale; 2nd Dorsal, Anal and Tail black with white tips. 0 (zero) Gill Rakers.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Blackspot Barracuda (Sphyraena forsteri) dark blotch at base of Pectoral; fins pale; without dark body-bars; 0 (zero Gill Rakers). Sharpfin Barracuda (Sphyraena helleri) 1-2 golden stripes on the sides; without dark body-bars; 1 (one) Gill Raker. Blackfin Barracuda (Sphyraena genie) has 18-22 dark bars reaching to belly; black fins; 0 (zero) Gill Rakers.