Facts about Barracuda
Being formidable hunters, they should be respected, as barracudas are perfectly capable of defending themselves against humans that harass them.
Spearfishing around barracudas can also be quite dangerous, as they are strongly attracted by the wounded fish.
Barracudas have an elongate body and large mouth, with the lower jaw jutting out beyond the upper (Nelson 1994).
Barracudas typically have coloration that is dark green or gray above a chalky-white underbelly.
Barracudas (family Sphyraenidae and genus Sphyraena) are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.
Barracudas will stop after the first bite as humans are not their normal food source.
The second dorsal fin and anal fin are the same size and are situated on the top and bottom of the barracuda, equidistant from the tail.
There have been isolated cases where barracudas did bite a human, but these incidents are rare and are believed to be caused by bad visibility.
Rather, chlorine is found mainly in the form of the chloride ion, a component of salts deposited in the earth or dissolved in the oceans.
Nelson (1994) reports that the maximum length of barracudas is normally to 1.8 meters (almost 6 feet), but are said to reach somewhat longer lengths.
Despite an unfavorable reputation as dangerous to humans who are scuba diving, snorkeling, or swimming in their waters, unprovoked attacks by barracudas on humans are rare.
Barracuda meat is smoked is because when cooked fresh, the fish is quite soft and disintegrates in the soup.
Large barracudas, when gorged, may attempt to herd a shoal of prey fish in shallow water, where they guard over them until they are ready for another meal.
Larger species, like the great barracuda, have in some areas been implicated in cases of ciguatera food poisoning (USFDA 2007).
Barracudas sometimes do follow snorkelers and scuba divers across a reef, which can make one feel uncomfortable, but they are harmless unless provoked.
Like sharks, barracudas have long had a bad reputation as being dangerous to humans.
Barracudas occur both singly and in schools around reefs, but also appear in open seas.