The barracuda is a name that sends shivers down the spines of small fish everywhere. With their sleek, torpedo-like bodies, razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match, these fearsome predators are the undisputed speed demons of the sea. But there's much more to these fish than just their intimidating presence. Read on for our top ten barracuda facts to discover more about their surprising quirks…
Built for speed
When it comes to speed, barracudas really know how to put pedal to metal. With their streamlined bodies and powerful tails, they can reach speeds of up to 35mph in short bursts - that's faster than most fish can even think of swimming. This speed allows them to ambush their prey, but we'll get to that later.
Razor-sharp teeth
A barracuda's mouth is lined with two sets of teeth: small, needle-like ones for holding prey and large, dagger-like ones for slicing it up. They can shear effortlessly through flesh, bone and even fishing lines with a single bite.
Ambush predators
As we've already mentioned, barracudas are fast - lightening fast. However, barracudas aren't fans of long chases and prefer to use the element of surprise. Using their silvery bodies to blend in with the water, they wait patiently for the perfect moment to strike. This ambush technique, along with their sharp teeth, is a deadly combination.
Growth spurt
While some species of barracuda remain small, the great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) can reach up to six feet long and weigh more than 100lbs. That's about the same size as an emu (but with significantly more teeth and a much shorter temper).
Bad reputation
Barracudas are often portrayed as aggressive, menacing creatures, but they rarely attack humans. Most incidents happen when they mistake shiny jewellery or reflective objects for the glint of fish scales. If you're in barracuda territory, it might be best to leave the bling at home to avoid an impromptu (and rather toothy) fashion critique.
Colour changing
Barracudas have a sneaky trick up their sleeves - they can darken or lighten their bodies depending on their surroundings. The subtle colour shift helps them blend into their environment, making them even better at ambushing prey. Juvenile barracudas also change colour, but use this to camouflage themselves from predators until they become hunting pros.
Opportunistic eaters
Being opportunistic predators, barracudas will eat just about anything they can catch. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, squid and crustaceans, but they're also known for being a bit wasteful. Sometimes, they'll bite prey in half and swim off, leaving a floating fish torso behind (it looks like the barracuda won't be getting any dessert).
Baby barracudas
While adult barracudas spend their time prowling the open ocean, the youngsters like to keep things a little more low-key. Juvenile barracudas hang out in the mangroves, seagrass beds and shallow coastal waters, where they have plenty of hiding spots and can practise their hunting skills on smaller fish.
Millions of years old
Fossil evidence suggests barracudas have been patrolling the seas for around 50 million years. This has given them plenty of time to perfect their sleek torpedo shape, making them one of the most efficient predators in the ocean.
Where to find them
Barracudas live in warm, tropical and subtropical waters, commonly found in the Caribbean and the Red Sea. They'll often be found cruising around coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds and the open ocean. From the Florida Keys to the Great Barrier Reef, if the waters are warm and the fish are plentiful, there's a good chance barracudas are lurking nearby.
