Freshwater barracuda
Ctenolucius hujeta
- Adult size
- 22 cm9 in
- Start with
- 3
- Tank length
- 150 cmabout 5 ft (59 in)
- Lifespan
- 6–10 yrs
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C72–82 °F
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Hardness
- 5–20 dGH
- Diet
- carnivore
A fast surface predator that jumps and swallows small fish; needs a long, tightly covered tank and same-size tankmates.A fast surface predator that jumps and swallows small fish; needs a long, tightly covered tank and same-size tankmates.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- African butterfly cichlid
Freshwater barracuda may eat African butterfly cichlidFreshwater barracuda may eat African butterfly cichlid
- Agassiz's cory
Freshwater barracuda may eat Agassiz's coryFreshwater barracuda may eat Agassiz's cory
Amano shrimpFreshwater barracuda may eat Amano shrimpFreshwater barracuda may eat Amano shrimp
- American flagfish
Freshwater barracuda may eat American flagfishFreshwater barracuda may eat American flagfish
Assassin snailFreshwater barracuda may eat Assassin snailFreshwater barracuda may eat Assassin snail
- Bandit cory
Freshwater barracuda may eat Bandit coryFreshwater barracuda may eat Bandit cory
- Batanta rainbowfish
Freshwater barracuda may eat Batanta rainbowfishFreshwater barracuda may eat Batanta rainbowfish
- Black kuhli loach
Freshwater barracuda may eat Black kuhli loachFreshwater barracuda may eat Black kuhli loach
Black neon tetraFreshwater barracuda may eat Black neon tetraFreshwater barracuda may eat Black neon tetra
- Black phantom tetra
Freshwater barracuda may eat Black phantom tetraFreshwater barracuda may eat Black phantom tetra
- Black ruby barb
Freshwater barracuda may eat Black ruby barbFreshwater barracuda may eat Black ruby barb
- Blackline rasbora
Freshwater barracuda may eat Blackline rasboraFreshwater barracuda may eat Blackline rasbora
Sources
| temperature | 22–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low |
|---|---|---|
| ph | 6.5–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium |
| gh | 5–20 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium |
| origin | Northern Colombia, Venezuela and Panama | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| notes | A fast surface predator that jumps and swallows small fish; needs a long, tightl | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| beginner friendly | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| care level | advanced | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| color palette | #C8C8C0, #D4A830, #1A1A1A | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| activity | active | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| swim zone | top | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| temperament | predatory | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| fin nipper | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| long finned | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| territorial | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| schooling | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| social min | 3 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| schooling min | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| lifespan years | 6–10 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| growth to adult months | 18 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| length weight | {"a":0.006,"b":3} | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| planted safe | true | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| min tank length | 150 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| body shape | shark | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |