BarracudasSphyraenidae

Barracudas are slender, cylindrical fishes with elongated bodies and a pointed snout. A prominent lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper, armed with large, pointed, canine-like teeth. They typically display two widely separated dorsal fins and a deeply forked caudal fin. Their colouration is usually silvery, often with dark vertical bars or blotches along the flanks. Species range from 30 cm (12 in) up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft) in total length.

They inhabit the water column from the surface to at least 100 m (330 ft) depth, frequenting outer reef slopes, drop-offs, and open water. Barracudas are fast-swimming, opportunistic predators that feed primarily on other fish, employing ambush tactics or rapid pursuit to capture prey. Smaller species commonly form large, dense schools, while mature individuals of larger species are typically solitary or found in small groups. They are commonly encountered by divers throughout the 🌊 Red Sea.