BARRACUDA
The barracuda is a vicious deep-water hunter with lightning speed and incredible accuracy. The teeth of the great barracuda are sharp and can easily lacerate a human limb. Many attacks on humans have been caused by barracudas, usually ending in the loss of an arm or a leg. Barracudas are also attracted by shinny and illuminous objects, therefore it is advised that when enteringbarracuda infested waters, one should take off any jewelry or any other garment or piece that attracts and reflects light.
Order : Perciformes
Family : Sphyraenidae
Genus : Sphyraena
Average Length : Up to 6 feet
Average Weight : Up to 103 lbs.
Diet : Almost any fish
Lifespan : 10-to-15 years
Food, Feeding and Hunting : The barracuda attacks swiftly and is a savage, fierce hunter with cannabalistic tendencies. It's diet depends on what fish is available in it's habitat. It will prey upon groupers, snappers, grunts, breams and occasionaly it's own young. Unlike sharks whom depend very little on their vision,the barracuda hunts with it's acute eyesight, even in the most murky and dark waters. It is also believed that barracudas are cooperative and may hunt in herds to drive their preys into schools to increase their success.
Breeding : Barracudas are such aggesive animals that they only come together for two occasions; to temporaily hunt and to spawn. The eggs are layed on the surface waters away from shore. Young barracudas lay up to five thousand eggs, however, mature females can lay up to three-hundred thousand. The newly hatched fry are born tenacos and begin preying upon other fish as soon as they hatch.
Distribution : Barracudas are found in the Mediterranean, western Atlantic and tropical waters. They are very common in th Carribean and can be located n submerged reefs and coral heads.
Conservation : The great barracuda is in no danger of extinction since it has no commercial value and is a mere target for sport fishermen.
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