Barracuda

Policy

This website uses cookies, also third parties cookies, in order to send to you adverts and services in line with your preferences. If you are willing to know more about cookies or to deny your consent to all or to certain cookies, please click here. By closing this banner, scrolling this page or clicking any element whatsoever on this page you consent to the use of cookies.

JOIN

ENG ITA

The barracuda is a name for a kind of fish with an elongated torpedo-shaped body. There are about 20 different species. The largest, the Great Barracuda, can grow up to 2m in length and weigh up to 50 kg. Barracudas are found in the warm waters of the oceans and in the temperate waters of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Barracudas, especially when they’re young, live primarily around coral reefs and close to the coastline. When they reach adulthood, they often swim out into the open sea. Their large mouths and long, sharp teeth make Barracudas a fearsome predator. Their hunting techniques vary with age. Young barracudas hunt in packs. They begin by surrounding their prey, preferably shellfish, squid and other smaller fish that move in shoals. Next they attacks and kill their prey with a single bite.

When they reach adulthood, between 2 and 4 years old, larger barracudas leave the group and live in isolation, although their hunting strategy remains the same: lightning fast attacks unleashed at a speed of nearly 60 kilometers per hour and powerful bites. To detect prey, barracuda rely almost entirely on sight and they have a tendency to swim to the surface, where there is more light. Females lay up to 300,000 eggs, which are dispersed by just leaving them to float freely.
The larvae develop from the eggs and instinctively head toward the shallow waters that are rich in nutrients, such as the mouths of rivers. Young specimens are easy prey for larger fish, and must live in packs to defend themselves. By contrast, adults have few predators, such as sharks, and can easily reach 14 years of age. The barracuda is a very aggressive creature, but rarely attacks humans. Usually this occurs when barracudas mistake the reflection of swimmers watches and bracelets as fish scales.