Barracuda

Share Top Five November 7, 2018

The barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size, fearsome appearance and ferocious behaviour. The barracuda is a saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae which was named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815. It is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide ranging from the eastern border of the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, on its western border the Caribbean Sea, and in tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean. Barracudas reside near the top of the water and near coral reefs and sea grasses,more info:wiki

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#10 Barracuda Fish,more info:sharktourshawaii

The barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size and fearsome appearance. Its body is long, fairly compressed and covered with small smooth scales. Some species may reach up to 1.8 m long and 30 cm wide. The barracuda is a saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena, genus Sphyraenidae only in the family and is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.

#9 FLY FISHING BARRACUDA,more info:alphonsefishingco

Found in many tropical to temperate waters throughout the Indo-Pacific region and subtropical Atlantic, the Barracuda is a fiercely opportunistic predator that puts up a good fight.

Known as the perfect ambush predator, the Barracuda is easily distinguishable with its elongated cylindrical body. Its long and pointed snout displays a distinctive undershot bottom jaw while its wide gaping mouth holds a fearsome array of razor sharp teeth. The body of the Barracuda is covered in well-formed scales that give it an almost snake-like pattern. The colouration changes from blue-grey above to silvery, chalky white below while a prominent lateral line extends from behind the head all the way to the tail. There are two widely spaced dorsal fins; the first composed of V-spines and the second of a single spine with nine soft rays.

#8 A Barracuda Big Enough to Smash Your Ribs Open,more info:Animal Planet

#7 Barracudas,more info:worldanimalfoundation

Barracudas are a large species of fish that live in the warmer, coastal regions of the planet’s oceans. They are known for their aggressive and dominant predator behavior. There are over 20 species of barracuda in the world.

While barracudas are widely spread across the seas, they are more commonly found in tropical areas where there is an abundance of food sources. Although barracudas also live in the deep ocean, they prefer the coastal areas along continental shelves and near coral reefs. Barracudas are nocturnal animals, active during the night.

All species of barracuda have an elongated shape and a pointed head with powerful jaws housing sharp, fang-like teeth. Different species of barracudas vary in sizes and colors. Barracudas can grow to be very large. The upper part of a barracuda body is covered with scales that can be black, gray, brown or blue. A barracuda’s belly is always white. Irregular dark spots are located on both sides of the barracuda’s body.

Barracudas are carnivores. The barracuda feeds mainly on smaller species of fish, crustaceans, invertebrates and squid. They are opportunistic predators, feeding on other animals in the surrounding area. They use a surprise tactic to capture their prey, ambushing with tremendous power. They can swim very quickly in short bursts to overtake their prey.

#6 THE BARRACUDA QUESTION,more info:calsportsmanmag

The last couple of years have seen unprecedented action for California saltwater anglers due to a strong El Niño. Highly desirable pelagics like yellowtail and tuna, along with true exotics like wahoo and blue marlin, have been dominating the headlines and anglers’ attention. Over the past 50 years, barracuda catches have fluctuated up and down considerably, as has the species’ popularity.

In the late 1960s, Southern California party boat operators ranked barracuda as the No.1 species that drew anglers to their ticket offices. The last few years have seen a combination of fewer barracuda and diminished effort as anglers chased after abundant yellowtail and tuna. As the population of anchovies in California waters increases, it’s hoped that the substantial barracuda population in northern Baja will come back up within range of local anglers.

#5 Great Barracuda Great Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda,more info:mexican-fish

Great Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda. Fish caught from shore in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 2007. Length: 38 cm (15 inches). Catch, photograph and identification courtesy of Kenneth Tse, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Great Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda. Fish caught from coastal waters off Key West, Florida, December 2016. Length: 62 cm (2 feet 0 inches). Catch, photograph and identification courtesy of Dean Kimberly, Atlanta, Georgia.

#4 Great Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda,more info:fishesofaustralia

A voracious marine predator easily recognised by the black scalloped tail with pale tips on the upper and lower lobes, numerous indistinct oblique bars along the upper sides (mostly above the lateral line), scattered dark blotches along the lower sides, and a pointed snout with a protruding lower jaw.

The Great Barracuda is a popular and highly-prized recreational fish. Although excellent eating, large fish should be avoided due to the risk of ciguatera poisoning. Great Barracuda have also been implicated in rare attacks on divers, and have bitten unsuspecting people dangling arms and legs in the water.