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Found across the globe in tropical seas, except the east Pacific, the great barracuda is typical of the approximately 20 species of barracuda. It may be distinguished from other barracuda by the black spots on its lower sides. Its body is long and slender, its head pointed, and its mouth filled with two rows of razor-sharp teeth. Juvenile great barracuda usually live among sea grasses and mangroves where they are hidden from predators. Around their second year, they usually move to coral reefs. Sometimes found in the open sea, they usually remain near the surface, though may be found as deep as 325 feet.
Sight-oriented, great barracuda locate their prey visually, swimming as fast as 36 miles per hour to swallow small prey whole or using their sharp teeth to rip larger prey into pieces for consumption. They prey on a wide variety of fish that includes anchovies, groupers, grunts, herrings, jacks, killifishes, and mullets. Not many predators are able to catch barracuda, but sharks, tuna, and goliath groupers may prey on smaller adults.
Although barracuda have formidable arrays of teeth and the disconcerting habit of curiously following divers and swimmers, attacks on humans are very rare. Most often the attack consists of a single strike when the fish tries to steal prey from a spear or mistakes a shiny object for a shiny fish. While serious, attacks are seldom lethal, usually resulting in lacerations and the loss of some tissue.
Nature picture credits (left to right): Photo © Wai Chiew Ng (school); Photo © Dennis Sabo (Great Barracuda closeup).
