BARRACUDAS - Sphyraenidae
General:
Usually to 1.8 m maximum length; could grow longer. Voracious predators of other fishes. Attacks on humans have been reported.
Pelagic spawning in schools. Food and game fishes, but large specimens may be ciguatoxic.
Elongated body. Large-mouthed with the lower jaw projecting forward bearing strong fanglike teeth. Upper jaw non-protractile, an adaptation to feeding on large prey. Well-developed lateral line. Gill rakers vestigial. Position of pectoral fins relatively low. Dorsal fins far apart. First dorsal fin with 5 spines; second dorsal with 1 spine and 9 soft rays. Vertebrae 24 (11+13).
Etymology
Greek, sphyraina = a fish similar to an iron pin, a pike like fish