Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Barracuda


Barracuda

  Barracudas are opportunistic saltwater predators and scavengers found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Unlike sharks they are bony, ray-finned fish that have large swim bladders fills with gas. It is used to create neutral buoyancy for the fish in the water column so that it is not sinking or floating at a chosen depth. Barracudas hunt by sight using large eyes. Adults are mostly solitary predators but it is not uncommon to find schools of smaller younger barracudas. They can grow six feet long with a large pointed head and large powerful jaws with many different large sharp teeth. Barracudas have a long stream line torpedo like body coved with smooth scales and many dark spots or stripes on their sides. They use surprise and speed to ambush their prey. Barracuda prey any other fish that is weak or injured killing them by tearing off chunks of their flesh using large sharp fang like teeth. Barracudas attacks on people are rare in spite of their fearsome looks and size. People are far more dangerous to them. They are a favorite game fish and a popular to eat.     



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