Barracuda

We occasionally encounter barracuda as we dive on the reefs.  The great barracuda grows up to about 6 feet, but we consider anything longer than 4 feet pretty big.  Often, barracuda seem content to effortlessly hang in the water column.  They watch us, as we watch them.  Their teeth are rather impressive, and other fish respect them.  However, prey species appear able to read the intentions of the barracuda.  If the predator is not hungry, the prey are in no danger, and can remain nearby.

This barracuda was about 3.5 feet long.

These photos were taken at about 25 to 30 feet deep.