The barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size

and fearsome appearance. Its body is long, fairly

compressed, and covered with small, smooth scales.

Some species can reach up to 2.1 m (6.9 ft) in length

and 30 cm (12 in) in width.[2][3] The barracuda is a

saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus

in the family Sphyraenidae, and is found in tropical and

subtropical oceans worldwide ranging from the Eastern

border of the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea and

Caribbean Sea. They are found near the top of the water

and near coral reefs and sea grasses

 

 

 

 

Appearance and physical description

Barracudas are snake-like in appearance, with prominent, sharp-edged, fang-like teeth, much like piranhas, all of different sizes, set in sockets of their large jaws. They have large, pointed heads with an underbite in many species. Their gill covers have no spines and are covered with small scales. Their two dorsal fins are widely separated, with the anterior fin having five spines, and the posterior fin having one spine and 9 soft rays. The posterior dorsal fin is similar in size to the anal fin and is situated above it. The lateral line is prominent and extends straight from head to tail. The spinous dorsal fin is placed above the pelvic fins and is normally retracted in a groove. The caudal fin is moderately forked with its posterior edged double-curved and is set at the end of a stout peduncle. The pectoral fins are placed low on the sides. Its swim bladder is large.

In most cases, a barracuda is dark blue, dark green, or gray on its upper body, with silvery sides and a chalky-white belly. Coloration varies somewhat between species. For some species, irregular black spots or a row of darker cross-bars occur on each side. Their fins may be yellowish or dusky. Barracudas live primarily in oceans, but certain species, such as the great barracuda, live in brackish water.

Some species grow quite large, such as the European barracuda, barracouta, or spet (S. sphyraena), found in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic; the great barracuda, picuda or becuna (S. picuda), ranging on

the Atlantic coast of tropical America from North

Carolina to Brazil and reaching Bermuda. Other

barracuda species are found around the world.

 

 

Examples are the California barracuda (S. argentea),

found from Puget Sound southwards to Cabo San

Lucas, the Indian barracuda (S. jello), and the

black-finned or Commerson's barracuda

(S. commersoni), from the seas of India and the

Malay Peninsula and Archipelago.

 

 

Behavior and diet

Barracudas are voracious, opportunistic predators,

relying on surprise and short bursts of speed

(up to 27 mph (43 km/h))[5] to overtake their prey.

 

Adults of most species are more or less solitary, while young and half-grown fish frequently congregate. Barracudas prey primarily on fish (which may include some as large as themselves). They kill and consume larger prey by tearing chunks of flesh. Barracuda are competitive species and often are seen competing against mackerel, needle fish and sometimes even dolphins for prey.[4]

 

It is known that Barracuda feed on an array of prey including fishes such as jacks, grunts, groupers, snappers, small tunas, mullets, killifishes,

herrings, and anchovies by simply biting them in half.[6]

They also seem to consume smaller species of sustenance

that are in front of them.

 

 

Interactions with humans

Like sharks, some species of barracuda are reputed to be

dangerous to swimmers. Barracudas are scavengers, and

may mistake snorkellers for large predators, following

them hoping to eat the remains of their prey. Swimmers

have reported being bitten by barracuda, but such incidents

are rare and possibly caused by poor visibility. Large

barracudas can be encountered in muddy shallows on

rare occasion. Barracudas may mistake things that glint

and shine for prey.[7] One incident reported a barracuda

jumping out of water and injuring a kayaker,[8] but Jason Schratwieser, conservation director of the International Game Fish Association, said that the wound could have been caused by a houndfish.[9]

Handfeeding or touching large barracudas in general is to be avoided. Spearfishing around barracudas can also be dangerous, as they are quite capable of ripping a chunk from a wounded fish thrashing on a spear.

As food

Barracudas are popular both as food and game fish. They are most often eaten as fillets or steaks. Larger species, such as the great barracuda, have been implicated in cases of ciguatera food poisoning.[10] Those who have been diagnosed with this type of food poisoning display symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort, limb weakness, and an inability to differentiate hot from cold effectively.[6]

West Africans smoke them for use in soups and sauces. Smoking protects the soft flesh from disintegrating in the broth and gives them a smoky flavor.