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| Barracudas | ||||||||||||
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The barracuda (Sphyraenus, family Sphyraenidae) is a ray-finned fish notable for its large size (up to 1.8 m or 5 ft) and fearsome appearance. Although attacks on humans are known, barracudas are primarily voracious predators on other fish. The one genus of the family includes about 25 known species.
The barracuda body is elongate, with the lower jaw of the large mouth jutting out, and displaying prominent fang-shaped teeth. The two dorsal fins are widely separated, with the first having five spines and the second one spine and nine soft rays. The lateral line is prominent.
Their body plan is a classic example of a lie-in-wait or ambush predator: barracudas rely on surprise and short bursts of speed to overrun their prey, sacrificing manoeuvrability.
Barracudas occur in subtropical and tropical oceans worldwide, and may be seen in schools, particularly during spawning. They are caught as food and game fish, and scuba divers often see them cruising above coral reefs.
