Great Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda · sfy-REE-na bara-KOO-da
diurnalsolitaryLeast Concern
EdibleUnfriendlyDangerousPoisonous
Superpower
Explodes from a standstill in one of the fastest strikes on the reef.
At a glance
- Size
- typically 100 cm, up to 200 cm
- Lifespan
- 10–14 years
- Depth
- 1–100 m
Habitat
Reefs, drop-offs and open water near the surface.
Diet
Fish, ambushed with a sudden burst of speed.
Can I eat it?
Yes — edible · tastiness 5/10.
How to cook: Eaten, but large reef barracuda are a common cause of ciguatera.
Safety
- Dangerous3/10
Curious rather than aggressive; rare bites are usually mistaken lunges at shiny objects.
- Poisonous5/10
Big specimens frequently carry ciguatera toxin.
Fun facts
- It can accelerate to around 50 km/h in a single burst.
- Barracuda are attracted to shiny objects, which can look like fish scales.
- They often hover near divers out of curiosity.