Great Barracuda - Oceana

Marine Life Encyclopedia

Ocean Fishes

Great Barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda

Distribution

Tropical and Subtropical Waters Worldwide

eCOSYSTEM/HABITAT

Reefs and Open Ocean

FEEDING HABITS

Predator

TAXONOMY

Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Family Sphyraenidae

     

    Great barracudas have a large mouth containing two sets of teeth. The outer row of small, razor-sharp teeth are for tearing, and the inner set of larger teeth for piercing. These closely set teeth work in tandem to rip into the flesh of their prey. The long needle-like teeth fit into holes in the opposing jaw, which allows the barracuda to fully close its mouth.1 When hunting, they alternate between swallowing smaller prey whole and cutting larger prey in half to be devoured in pieces. They are opportunistic predators that hunt mainly by sight.

    Great barracudas are naturally inquisitive. Because they hunt mainly by sight, barracudas sometimes attempt to steal fish from spear fishers or approach divers, mistaking the glint of a diving knife as a shiny fish.1 Despite this behavior, barracudas rarely attack humans unprovoked.2

    Adult great barracudas are large fish – some exceeding five feet long and weighing more than 100 pounds – with a lifespan of around 14 years in the wild. Given their size and speed, barracudas do not have many predators capable of catching and eating them.

    Some anglers value barracudas as a gamefish because of their strength and speed. The great barracuda is not prized as a commercial fish in North American waters, but they can be caught as bycatch in gillnets and other fishing gear.1

    Fun Facts About Great Barracuda

    1. Barracudas are adept hunters with few predators because of their speed and size.

    2. Great barracudas can swim at speeds up to 36 mph (58 kph).

    3. Great barracudas can grow to more than 5 feet long and weigh more than 100 pounds.1

    4. Great barracudas’ upper sides can have up to 23 dark bars.

    5. Any barracuda more than 4.8 feet is considered very large.

    Engage Youth with Sailors for the Sea

    Oceana joined forces with Sailors for the Sea, an ocean conservation organization dedicated to educating and engaging the world’s boating community. Sailors for the Sea developed the KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) program to create the next generation of ocean stewards. Click here or below to download hands-on marine science activities for kids.

    Kids Environmental Lesson Plans

     

    Get Involved

    Donate Today

    SUPPORT OUR WORK TO PROTECT THE OCEANS BY GIVING TODAY

    With the support of more than 1 million activists like you, we have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean.

    Donate Now

    TAKE ACTION NOW

    Support policy change for the oceans

    Decision-makers need to hear from ocean lovers like you. Make your voice heard!

    Sign Now

    VISIT OUR ADOPTION CENTER

    SYMBOLICALLY ADOPT AN ANIMAL TODAY

    Visit our online store to see all the ocean animals you can symbolically adopt, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

    Shop Today

    DOWNLOAD OCEAN ACTIVITIES

    HELP KIDS DISCOVER OUR BLUE PLANET

    Our free KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) empower children to learn about and protect our oceans!

    Learn More

    FEATURED CAMPAIGN

    Save the Oceans, Feed the World

    We are restoring the world’s wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people.

    Learn More

    More CAMPAIGNs

    Protect Habitat

    Bycatch

    Plastics

    View All

    CONTACT

    Oceana International Headquarters
    1025 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 200
    Washington, DC 20036 USA

    General Inquiries
    +1(202)-833-3900
    info@oceana.org

    Donation Inquiries
    +1(202)-996-7174
    wavemaker@oceana.org

    Press Inquiries
    +1(202)-833-3900
    press@oceana.org

    OCEANA'S EFFICIENCY

    BECOME A WAVEMAKER

    Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana.

    SHOW YOUR SUPPORT WITH A DONATION

    We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.

    Donate Now

    QUICK LINKS: