The barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size around 6 ft in length and up to a foot in width and fearsome appearance. Its body is long, fairly compressed, and covered with small, smooth scales. It is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. It is of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae.

The Barracuda is solitary predators that roam the reefs and saltwater flats looking to ambush smaller baitfish, and whatever else they can get into their toothy mouths. They have a reputation for being curious, and barracuda often “tag along” with divers and snorkelers, seemingly curious about any intrusions into their turf. In extremely rare instances, barracuda have been known to attack humans, possibly mistaking a shiny object–such as a watch–for the flash of a small baitfish. Their strike and bite are viscous, and a barracuda attack will leave marks more like razor cuts than anything else. Like many types of tropical saltwater fish, the flesh of the barracuda is toxic, and can cause nerve poisoning. Do not eat this fish.

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