Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Prev NEXT. Wild Animals. Saltwater Fish. Will I get sick if I eat barracuda? Barracuda How Sharks Work How many sharks are killed each year annually -- and why? If I kill an animal, can I eat it raw? How Food Preservation Works Is there a pound lobster at the bottom of the ocean? Great barracuda commonly occur in nearshore coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves.
They may also reside in the open ocean, living predominantly at or near the surface, although they are at times found at depths to feet m. Barracudas tend to be solitary but are sometimes found in small aggregations over reefs and sandy bottoms. Juveniles mature amongst mangroves and seagrass beds, habitats that offer cover from predators. During the second year of life, barracuda move to deeper reef habitats. Juveniles and some adults have been observed in areas that receive high amounts of freshwater input, however adults generally tend to avoid areas of brackish water.
Distinctive Features The great barracuda has a slender, streamlined body that is round in the mid-section. The top of the head between the eyes is nearly flat and the mouth is large, containing many large sharp teeth and a projecting lower jaw.
The pectoral fin tips extend to the origin of the pelvic fins. The spinous and soft dorsal fins are widely separated and the double emarginate tail fin exhibits pale tips on each lobe. Coloration Body coloration of the great barracuda is brownish or bluish gray on the dorsum and upper side, with a greenish cast shading to silvery on the sides and a white belly.
The upper side may have dark bars most often observable when the fish is resting or over a variegated substrate. The black spots on the lower sides of the great barracuda distinguish it from other species of barracuda. The second dorsal fin, anal, and caudal fins are violet to black with whitish tips.
Young barracuda exhibit pale reticulations on the dorsum and a dark stripe on either side that breaks into spots as the fish grows. These patterns are somewhat ephemeral though as juveniles can alter their color patterns to closely match that of their surroundings. These changes in coloration serve to camouflage the fish from predators as well as well as wary prey. Adults have similar coloration along with a more silvery appearance that is advantageous to a fish that swims near the surface of the water.
Dentition The great barracuda has a large mouth containing two sets of razor-sharp teeth, making it an efficient predator. There is a row of small razor-sharp teeth along the outside of the jaw with a larger set of dagger-like teeth within these. The closely set teeth are flattened and triangular with sharp edges used to tear the flesh of prey. Long needlelike teeth fit into their own holes in the opposing jaw, allowing the great barracuda to close its mouth.
Barracudas are a game fish—meaning that catching them is difficult, and therefore practiced as a sport. Recreational anglers will go out specifically looking for barracuda. They used specialized tools and tactics to catch the barracuda. Once back on the shore it is important to make sure that the barracuda you have caught is safe to eat. There are many different ways to cook it, and just as many symptoms that can potentially be caused by eating the meat.
In order to eat barracuda safely it is not advisable to eat a large amount of it. Cultures around the world that do eat barracuda, such as West African cultures, tend to eat smaller barracuda and include the meat in soups and stews. Making a small amount of the meat go further means less of the toxin can be eaten at one time.
Likewise, eating only meat from smaller barracuda means subjecting yourself to less of the toxin. Because in the larger barracuda, the toxin is far more present. This is due to the toxin accumulating in larger bodies.
Eating meat from a barracuda longer than 3. Symptoms can start as soon as 3 hours after eating, and can last for If in doubt, do not eat barracuda. If you do not know where it has come from and cannot be sure how large the fish was when it was alive, it is better not to take the chance.
Despite their potential deadliness, many people around the world still eat barracuda. They are known for having a meaty texture and a full flavor. The low fat content of the fish makes it good in light dishes. Barracuda meat has a powerful flavor that can be the center point of a dish. While seasoning the fish, add the following seasonings, as they go very well with the flavor of the barracuda meat and texture:.
Keep in mind that ciguatoxin is a heat-stable toxin, which means that it would still be effective even after cooking. There are many claims that consuming barracuda meat has multiple health benefits for humans. These benefits include:. However, barracuda meat contains a variety of nutrients that are abundant in marine creatures and seafood, such as:.
Barracudas are unique fish in a variety of ways. To avoid the negative effects of the ciguatera toxin, make sure that you only consume young and small barracuda fish only because these are the ones that are yet to accumulate so much in their flesh. Also, make sure that you eat the least dangerous parts of the fish and steer away from the liver and head section because they contain the most toxins. Hi, I'm Tom. I'm the creator of Spearoscout. I've been spearfishing for about 20 years and this blog is dedicated to those spearos just getting started.
I hope you enjoy and find the information helpful. Some recommended products may use affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Spearscout. There is no extra cost to you. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.
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