Looking like a silvery-blue torpedo with razor sharp teeth and an under-bite, it’s the great barracuda. This species is the largest known barracuda in the world. They can be found in tropical waters around the world near Africa to the Red Sea, and all the way to the Hawaiian Islands, as well as Tuamotu Archipelago. Due to their estimated stable numbers, this bony fish is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Sphyraena barracuda
Weight: Up to 100+ lbs.
Length: Up to 5+ feet
Lifespan: Up to 14 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Some of the great barracuda’s teeth point backwards to keep hold of any slippery fish.
2.) Using a lie-in-wait, ambush style of predation, these predators will catch unsuspecting fish with a burst of speed, overpowering them and ensnaring them within their rows of razor sharp teeth.
3.) Barracudas hunt more via sight than smell. They are attracted to the shiny reflection of prey fish scales. For this reason, humans sometimes get bitten when donning jewelry while swimming in the ocean.
4.) Barracudas prey on a wide variety of fish, squid, and crustaceans, from the open ocean to coral reef environments.
5.) Barracudas are typically nocturnal (active at night) hunters, but can be seen exhibiting a crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) behavior too.
But wait, there’s more on the great barracuda!
6.) Great barracudas can reach speed bursts of up to 35 mph.
7.) Orcas, dolphins, and sharks prey on barracudas.
Did you know…?
Eating barracuda is more more dangerous to humans than eating any other known fish species, sans pufferfish. People often become very sick from ciguatera fish poisoning after eating barracuda. It is thought that the reef fish that barracudas eat feast on algae that can contain high levels of the poison.
8.) While typically solitary, they can gather in groups called schools.
9.) Mating takes place in the spring. Males and females come together and release eggs and sperm into the water.
10.) Females lay around 500,000+ eggs each season. Many are consumed by smaller fish. Most fry are typically eaten before they reach adulthood. Hence the need for a large amount of eggs.
Now a Short Great Barracuda Video!
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