Barracudas

[triciask]

Hi Everyone,

Ok so I know I can probably do the research on the web to answer my questions, but I figure I would ask all you scubaboard experts first.

How dangerous is it really to swim/dive with Baracudas?

Are they naturally curious of humans?

Is it true they are attracted to shiny things? (Like jewlery)

Thanks,
Tyme

 

[H2Andy]

not dangerous at all. barracudas are curious and a lot smarter than people
give them credit for

the only danger is when the barracuda may confuse you for prey, usually in
very low vis or where there is a wounded fish next to you and the barracuda
mistakenly goes for you.

they do seem attracted to shiny things, but, again, that's not a danger unless
in low vis they mistake a ring on your finger for prey.

generally if you are in good vis and there's no fish guts around, you're safe

 

[triciask]

Thanks for the Info!

So probably it wouldn't be a good idea to snorkle to swim around piers huh!?

Tyme

not dangerous at all. barracudas are curious and a lot smarter than people
give them credit for

the only danger is when the barracuda may confuse you for prey, usually in
very low vis or where there is a wounded fish next to you and the barracuda
mistakenly goes for you.

they do seem attracted to shiny things, but, again, that's not a danger unless
in low vis they mistake a ring on your finger for prey.

generally if you are in good vis and there's no fish guts around, you're safe

 

[djanni]

You would not find me trying to pet one. Keep your distance and they'll keep theirs. I probably would not be confortable if I stepped off into a school of them but then again, I don't swim away when I see a few of then either.

I've never had one attack any of my d-rings. Stories I've heard told by spearfishermen ensure I'll be keeping my distance from the spearfishermen if the fishing is good.

Respect the wild creatures and enjoy great diving.

Hi Everyone,

Ok so I know I can probably do the research on the web to answer my questions, but I figure I would ask all you scubaboard experts first.

How dangerous is it really to swim/dive with Baracudas?

Are they naturally curious of humans?

Is it true they are attracted to shiny things? (Like jewlery)

Thanks,
Tyme

 

[triciask]

Hi Don, Seems like sound advise to me.

I have an enormous amount of respect for nature. In the ocean, we are just specs!

Thanks for the info,
Tyme

You would not find me trying to pet one. Keep your distance and they'll keep theirs.

I've never had one attack any of my d-rings. Stories I've heard told by spearfishermen ensure I'll be keeping my distance from them if the fishing is good.

Respect the wild creatures and enjoy great diving.

 

[H2Andy]

You would not find me trying to pet one.

nope... me neither... but then i don't pet any fish

I probably would not be confortable if I stepped off into a school of them

i have been smack in the middle of not one but THREE huge schools of barracuda,
all circling and eyeing me.

was i comfortable? nope

but i was safe

 

[triciask]

Ok! I think being in the middle of 3 schools of barracuda would cure me for life!
Suddendly feeling insignificant ::grin::

Thanks

nope... me neither... but then i don't pet any fish




i have been smack in the middle of not one but THREE huge schools of barracuda,
all circling and eyeing me.

was i comfortable? nope

but i was safe

 

[Hank49]

Ok! I think being in the middle of 3 schools of barracuda would cure me for life!
Suddendly feeling insignificant ::grin::

Thanks

I rarely see schools of great barracuda in Belize. One time I saw about 12, 3-4 footers. In the Philippines and Malaysia there are schooling chevron barracuda but they're harmless. You can swim right into them.
Great barracudas are curious and will sneak up behind you to have a look. If you turn towards them, they move off. But they'll sneak up again if you turn away. After a few passes they lose interest and swim off. They look pretty fearsome though with all those teeth. And they are the only fish...well, I've seen a lot of bubbles around schools of tarpon too...that I've seen pass gas. I actually have a picture of one with bibbles coming out of his anus and I've seen two others do it.

 

[mike_s]

How dangerous is it really to swim/dive with Baracudas?

Are they naturally curious of humans?

They aren't dangerous to dive with. in fact they leave you alone.
But I wouldn't stick bait fish in my teeth for them to eat out
like some of the dive guides in the keys do.

They are curious and will swim up to you though.

Is it true they are attracted to shiny things? (Like jewlery)

Do they like Shiny thing? heck yes.

Check out the mouth of this barracuda on this pic that I took
last week on the Duane. Pay special attention to the shiny
object in his mouth. I think it's a hook, but not really sure.

Click on the below link. To enlarge pic in the next page, click on pic
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/24762/cat/500/page/1

 

[Scuba_Dad]

They aren't dangerous to dive with. in fact they leave you alone.
But I wouldn't stick bait fish in my teeth for them to eat out
like some of the dive guides in the keys do.

They are curious and will swim up to you though.


Do they like Shiny thing? heck yes.

Normally they do... The one in the attached picture was an overly friendly one on the City of Washington in Key Largo. When I started my dive, he (or she) was in my face. He was so close, I had to cross my eyes to focus on him. But.. when one of my dive buddies was ending his dive, this same baracuda was in his face, too... So.. he made the mistake and said to himself "Show me your stuff, big boy!" Well, about the time he thought that, the baracuda went after the top of his snorkel and pulled his mask off. When we got back to the boat and heard his story... we looked at his Oceanic snorkel with the SILVER top on it... needless to say.. my buddy ripped the silver tape off of his snorkel. We still laugh about that one today....

btw... the I believe that's one of the cudas that Spence Slate used to feed...

Al