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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Sphyraena spet

Becuna \Be*cu"na\, n. [Sp.] (Zo["o]l.) A fish of the Mediterranean ( Sphyr[ae]na spet). See Barracuda.

Sphyraena spet

Barracuda \Bar`ra*cu"da\, Barracouta \Bar`ra*cou"ta\,, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.) Any of several voracious pikelike marine fishes allied to the gray mullets, constituting the genus Sphyr[ae]na and family Sphyr[ae]nid[ae]. The great barracuda ( Sphyr[ae]na barracuda) of the West Indies, Florida, etc., is often six feet or more long, and as dangerous as a shark. In Cuba its flesh is reputed to be poisonous. Sphyr[ae]na Argentea of the Pacific coast and Sphyr[ae]na sphyr[ae]na of Europe are smaller species, and are used as food.

Note: That of Europe and our Atlantic coast is Sphyr[ae]na spet (or Sphyr[ae]na vulgaris); a southern species is Sphyr[ae]na picuda; the Californian is Sphyr[ae]na argentea.

2. (Zo["o]l.) A large edible fresh-water fish of Australia and New Zealand ( Thyrsites atun).