:: Barracuda ::

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.

Barracudas are elongated fish, pike, as in appearance, with prominent sharp teeth like fangs, much like the piranhas, which are all different sizes that are set in sockets of their large jaws. They have large heads with a needle pointed in many species. Their lids are no spines and are covered with small scales. Their two dorsal fins are widely separated by the anterior fin with five spines, posterior fin with spine and nine soft rays. The posterior dorsal fin is similar in size to the anal fin and is over. The lateral line is prominent and extends straight from head to tail. The spiny dorsal fin is placed above the pelvic fins and is usually back in a groove. The caudal fin is moderately forked with its double-curved rear edge and is attached to the end of a peduncle robust. The pectoral fins are placed low on the sides. Their swim bladder is large.

In most cases, they are dark green, dark blue or gray on their upper body with silvery sides and belly of a chalky white. Coloration varies somewhat between species. For some species, there are irregular black spots or a row of dark transverse bars on each side. Their fins may be yellowish or dark. Barracudas live mainly in the oceans, but some species such as the Great Barracuda lives in brackish water.

Some species grow quite large, such as barracuda European barracouta or SPET (S. sphyraena), found in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, Great barracuda, or Picuda Becuna (S. Picuda), from the Atlantic coast of tropical forests of North America and Brazil Carolina to reach Bermuda. Other species barracudas are found throughout the world. Examples are the California Barracuda (S. argentea), extending from southern Puget Sound in Cabo San Lucas, the Indian barracuda (S. jello) and black finned or Commerson barracuda (S. commersoni), Seas India and the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago.

Barracudas are voracious, opportunistic predators relying on surprise and short bursts of speed (up to 27 miles per hour (43 km / h)) to overcome their prey.

The adults of most species are more or less solitary, while young fish and half-grown frequently gather. Barracuda prey mainly on fish (which may include some as large as himself). They kill and consume larger prey by tearing pieces of flesh.

Like sharks, some species of barracuda are known to be dangerous to swimmers. Barracudas are scavengers and can mislead the divers for the large predators, following them in the hope of eating the remains of their prey. Swimmers have been reported being bitten by barracuda, but such incidents are rare and possibly caused by poor visibility. Barracuda generally avoid the muddy shallows, then attacks in the surf are more likely to be by small sharks. Barracudas can confuse things that shine and reflections of prey. There was one reported incident of a barracuda jumping out of the water and wounding a kayaker but it is believed that the fish was a houndfish.

Handfeeding or touching large barracuda generally be avoided. Spearfishing around barracudas can also be dangerous because they are quite capable of tearing a piece of a thrashing fish on a spear wounded.

Diamond rings and other shiny objects have been known to get their attention and look like prey to them. Care should be taken when swimming off the coast of mangroves, covering or removing such items.Barracudas are popular both as food and sport fish. They are most often consumed as fillets or steaks. Larger species, such as the Great Barracuda, have been implicated in ciguatera food poisoning cases