| Barracuda | |
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| Great barracuda hovering in the current at the Paradise Reef,Cozumel, Mexico | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Carangiformes |
| Suborder: | Centropomoidei |
| Family: | Sphyraenidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
| Genus: | Sphyraena J. T. Klein, 1778 |
| Type species | |
| Esox spet | |
| Synonyms | |
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Abarracuda is a large, predatory,ray-finned, saltwaterfish of thegenusSphyraena, the only genus in the familySphyraenidae, which was named byConstantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815.[2] It is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide ranging from the eastern border of the Atlantic Ocean to theRed Sea, on its western border theCaribbean Sea, and in tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean. Barracudas reside near the top of the water and near coral reefs and sea grasses.[3] Barracudas are often targeted bysport-fishing enthusiasts.
The common name "barracuda" is derived fromSpanish, with the original word being of possiblyCariban origin.[4]
Barracuda aresnake-like in appearance, with prominent, sharp-edged,fang-like teeth, much likepiranha, all of different sizes, set insockets of their large jaws. They carry a striking resemblance topike, although they are not related. They have large, pointed heads with an underbite in many species. Their gill covers have no spines and are covered with smallscales. Their twodorsal fins are widely separated, with the anterior fin having five spines, and the posterior fin having one spine and nine soft rays. The posterior dorsal fin is similar in size to theanal fin and is situated above it. Thelateral line is prominent and extends straight from head to tail. The spinous dorsal fin is placed above thepelvic fins and is normally retracted in a groove. Thecaudal fin is moderately forked with its posterior edge double-curved and is set at the end of a stoutpeduncle. Thepectoral fins are placed low on the sides. Theswim bladder is large, allowing for minimal energy expenditure while cruising or remaining idle.[5]
In most cases, barracuda are dark gray, dark green, white, or blue on the upper body, with silvery sides and a chalky-white belly. Coloration varies somewhat between species. For some species, irregular black spots or a row of darker cross-bars occur on each side. Their fins may be yellowish or dusky. Barracudas live primarily in oceans, but certain species, such as the great barracuda, live inbrackish water. Due to similarities, sometimes Barracuda is compared with freshwater pike, though the major difference between the two is that Barracuda has two separatedorsal fins with a forked tail, unlike the freshwater pike.[6]
Some species grow quite large (up to 65 inches or 165 cm in length),[7] such asSphyraena sphyraena, found in theMediterranean Sea and easternAtlantic;Sphyraena picudilla, ranging on the Atlantic coast of tropical America fromNorth Carolina to Brazil and reachingBermuda. Other barracuda species are found around the world. Examples areSphyraena argentea, found fromPuget Sound southwards toCabo San Lucas,Sphyraena jello, from the seas of India and theMalay Peninsula and Archipelago.
The barracuda genusSphyraena contains 26 species:[8]
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The following fossil species are also known:[11]
A related fossil genus,Parasphyraena, is known from the Miocene ofAzerbaijan.[11]
Barracudas are ferocious, opportunisticpredators, relying on surprise and short bursts of speed, up to 27 mph (43 km/h),[13] to overtake their prey.
Adults of most species are more or less solitary, while young and half-grown fish frequently congregate.
Barracudas prey primarily on fish (which may include some as large as themselves). Common prey fish includejacks,grunts,groupers,snappers, smalltunas,mullets,killifishes,herrings, andanchovies; often by simply biting them in half.[14] They kill and consume larger prey by tearing chunks out of their prey. They also seem to consume smaller species of sustenance that are in front of them. Barracuda species are often seen competing againstmackerel,needle fish and sometimes evendolphins for prey.[3]
Barracudas are usually found swimming in saltwater searching for schools of plankton-feeding fish. Their silver and elongated bodies make them difficult for prey to detect, especially when viewed head-on. Barracudas depend heavily on their eyesight when they are out hunting. When hunting, they tend to notice everything that has an unusual colour, reflection, or movement. Once a barracuda targets an intended prey item, its long tail and matching anal and dorsal fins enable it to move with swift bursts of speed to attack its prey before it can escape. Barracudas generally attack schools of fish, speeding at them head first and biting at them with their jaws. When barracudas age, they tend to swim alone. However, there are times when they tend to stay with the pack. Barracudas will sometimes swim in groups. In this case, they can relocate schools of fish into compact areas or lead them into shallow water to more easily feed on them.[citation needed]
Some species of barracuda are reputed to be dangerous to swimmers. Barracudas are scavengers, and may mistake snorkelers for large predators, following them hoping to eat the remains of their prey. Swimmers have reported being bitten by barracudas, but such incidents are rare and possibly caused by poor visibility. Large barracudas can be encountered in muddy shallows on rare occasion. Barracudas may mistake things that glint and shine, like jewelry, for prey.[15] One incident reported a barracuda jumping out of water and injuring a kayaker,[16] but Jason Schratwieser, conservation director of theInternational Game Fish Association, said that the wound could have been caused by ahoundfish.[17]Fatalities are nevertheless rare. Deaths have been reported in 1947 in Florida, 1957 in North Carolina and 1960 in Florida, again.[18]
Barracudas are popular both as food andgame fish. They are most often eaten as fillets or steaks. Larger species, such as thegreat barracuda, have been implicated in cases ofciguatera fish poisoning.[19] Those who have been diagnosed with this type of food poisoning display symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort, limb weakness, and an inability to differentiate hot from cold effectively.[14]
West Africanssmoke them for use insoups andsauces. Smoking protects the soft flesh from disintegrating in the broth and gives it a smoky flavour.
InThai cuisine, baracuda meat is often used in curry sauce forkhanom chin (Thai fermented rice noodles) or steamed in banana-leaf parcels ashor mok. InChinese cuisine, it is commonly prepared by steaming.
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