Why are barracudas dangerous?

Myth No. 1: Barracuda are dangerous to people. Although barracuda are quite curious, there have been only 25 reported attacks in the last century. The majority of documented incidents were severe lacerations. Scientists think that people provoked the barracuda in these cases, triggering its defenses. read more

Barracuda have also been known to bite people in the head/ear after being attracted by shiny loop or dangly earrings. Do not wear such jewlery while diving/snorkeling where barracuda might be present. I know of at least one other instance where a shiny object attracted a barracuda. read more

Barracudas dangerous but rarely attack humans. Last week, I saw an enormous barracuda in the Ala Wai Boat Harbor. Usually the barracudas I see in the harbor are babies, less than a foot or so long. This one was so big, though, that, even though I was in a hurry, I had to stop and stare. read more

The barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size, fearsome appearance and ferocious behaviour. The barracuda is a saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae which was named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815. read more