The Thyrsites atun, a.k.a. snoek, is a long, thin, perch-like commercial foo fish belonging to the Gempylidae family. It is found in the seas of the Southern Hemisphere. It is also known in Australia as barracouta though it is not related nor should it be confused with Barracuda. It can grow up to 200 cm. (78 inches)long and weigh as much as 6 kg. (13.23 lbs,). It is found near continental shelves or around islands and feeds on crustaceans, cephalopods and small fish like anchovy and pilchard. This species will form schools near the bottom or midwater; sometimes even near the surface at night. It prefers sea water temperature between 13° and 18°C.