Great Barracuda

The Sphyraena barracuda, commonly referred to as the great barracuda, is a large predatory fish found in subtropical oceans worldwide. This species inhabits tropical to warm temperate waters in the 🇮🇳 Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans, ranging from mangrove areas to deep reefs with a depth limit of 110 meters. Concerningly, the great barracuda population in 🇺🇸 Florida is declining, prompting the 🇺🇸 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to consider implementing catch limits.

Great barracudas are one of the largest types of barracudas, typically measuring between 60-100 cm (24-39 in) in length and weighing 2.5-9.0 kg (5.5-19.8 lb) when mature. However, exceptionally large specimens can exceed 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in length and weigh over 23 kg (51 lb). The largest recorded great barracuda weighed 46.72 kg (103.0 lb) and measured 1.7 m (5.6 ft), with reports of even longer examples up to 3 m (9.8 ft).

In terms of appearance, the great barracuda is blue-gray above and fades to a silvery and chalky-white coloration below. Some individuals may have a row of darker crossbars on their upper side and black blotches on the lower sides. The fins, including the second dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin, range in color from dark violet to black with white tips. Barracudas generally have elongated bodies with strong jaws, and their lower jaw extends beyond the upper jaw. They possess powerful, fang-like teeth that are uneven in size and set in sockets in both the jaws and the roof of the mouth. The head is large and pointed, reminiscent of a pike. The gill covers lack spines and are covered with small scales. The two dorsal fins are widely separated, with the first dorsal fin having five spines and the second having one spine and nine soft rays. The size of the second dorsal fin matches that of the anal fin, which is positioned somewhat above it. The lateral line is prominent and runs straight from the head to the tail. The spinous dorsal fin is situated above the pelvis, and the caudal fin is forked or concave, attached to a sturdy peduncle. The pectoral fins are low on the sides, and the barracuda possesses a large swim bladder.

Barracudas are typically found in open seas and employ ambush tactics to capture their prey. They rely on surprise and short bursts of speed, reaching up to 43 km/h (27 mph), to overwhelm their victims, sacrificing maneuverability in the process. These fish are generally solitary, but young and half-grown barracudas tend to gather in schools.

Great barracudas can survive for at least 14 years and spawn from April to October. Females can release between 5,000 to 30,000 eggs during the spawning season. Their diet mainly consists of fish, cephalopods, and occasionally shrimp, as they are apex predators on reefs. When they are satiated, larger barracudas may attempt to corral a group of prey fish into shallow waters, guarding over them until they are ready for another hunting session.

While barracudas are scavengers, occasionally mistaking snorkelers for larger predators, biting incidents are rare and likely a result of poor visibility. Barracuda attacks on humans are infrequent, although bites can cause lacerations and tissue loss. Due to their strong fighting capabilities when hooked, barracudas are a popular target for recreational fishing. However, it's worth noting that these fish release a pungent odor upon capture, and consuming their meat carries the risk of Ciguatera fish poisoning.