Barracuda - Predatory Behavior, The Great Barracuda (sphyraena Barracuda), The Pacific Barracuda, Human Fear Of Barracudas
fish species teeth family
A barracuda is a long, cylindrical, silvery fish. It has two widely separated dorsal fins, in roughly the same location as the two fins on its belly, and a forked tail. The largest species, the great barracuda, seldom grows longer than 6.5 ft (2 m) and is an aggressive fearsome predator of other fish. All barracudas have an underhung jaw that houses long, incredibly sharp teeth; their teeth are conically shaped, are larger in the front, like fangs, and their horizontal mouths can open very wide. In general, the barracuda inhabits tropical and warmer temperate waters throughout the world, specifically in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Different species of barracuda thrive in a variety of specific habitats but they are common over reefs and near continental shelves. Barracudas have been known to attack humans.
Barracudas are classified in the order Perciformes, an incredibly diverse group, containing 18 suborders and nearly 7,000 species of fish. Barracudas are the only fish in the suborder Sphyraenoidei and in the family Sphyraenidae. Within their family, there is one genus, Sphyraena, with 20 species.
Additional Topics
Barracudas usually swim actively in clear water searching for schools of plankton-feeding fish. Their silver coloring and elongated bodies make them difficult for prey to detect, especially when viewing them head-on. Barracudas depend heavily on their sense of sight when they hunt, noticing everything that has an unusual color, reflection, or movement. Once a barracuda sights an intended victim, i…
As its name implies, the great barracuda is most notable because of its size. Like all species of barracuda, this species has a long, silvery body and very sharp teeth. It generally appears silvery with green or gray on its back and black blotches on its belly. However, this fish can change color to match its background environment. While individuals in most species of barracuda rarely grow longer…
People who dive in tropical regions are often quite afraid of barracudas, fearing them even more than sharks. Often, divers in tropical waters report feeling as if there is "someone watching them" when they are submerged. With barracudas, this is probably the case. Barracudas are curious animals and commonly follow and watch divers, noticing any strange movements or colors. Unlike sh…
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User Comments
about 1 month ago
hii... can someone tell me what colour lures work well for catching barracuda, GT , and Baramundi...
thank you .