Facts: Barracudas

Barracudas are ferocious marine fish. There are over 20 species that inhabit tropical ocean waters all around the world. They prefer to inhabit shallow coastal waters close to coral reefs, shorelines, and continental shelves. Barracudas have a thin, elongated body that is almost cylindrical in cross section, with a pointed, protruding lower jaw. Their two dorsal fins are spaced widely apart. Barracudas have shiny, silver sides that help them camouflage into the water around them. They are usually grey, white, or blue on top, making them hard to see by anything looking down on them, with a white underside that makes them hard to see from below too. Each barracuda has a unique pattern of body markings which can be used by scientists to monitor individuals. A barracuda's mouth is often held slightly agape, revealing their extremely sharp teeth. Some of their teeth point backwards so that they can maintain a better grip on their prey. They are ferocious hunters that rely on their incredible speed to ambush their prey. They prey on fish like jacks and grunts. When they feed, barracudas often cut their prey in two, then circle back to eat the pieces. Barracudas swim very fast. A 3 ft long barracuda was once clocked at 25 mph. Some barracudas, normally smaller individuals, swim together in schools while others, normally larger individuals, swim alone. While barracudas are curious and known to approach and follow divers, they do not attack humans unprovoked. The largest species, the great barracuda, can grow over 6 ft long, while the smallest species only grows to around 12 in long. Larger barracuda species can live over 14 years. Many species are hunted by humans, for sport as well as food. However, consuming large barracuda species can be poisonous to humans. Due to the fact that they are high on the food chain, they often accumulate high levels of toxins. Adult barracudas can be preyed on by animals such as sharks, dolphins, orcas, and groupers. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!!