page_title: Great barracuda
section_title: Behavior and biology
hierarchical_section_title: Great barracuda / Behavior and biology
context_page_description: The great barracuda, also known as the giant barracuda, is a common species of barracuda: large, predatory ray-finned fish found in subtropical oceans around the world.
context_section_description: Barracudas appear in open seas. They are voracious predators and hunt by ambush. They rely on surprise and short bursts of speed (up to 27 mph (43 km/h) to overrun their prey, sacrificing maneuverability. Barracudas are more or less solitary in their habits. Young and half-grown fish frequently congregate in shoals.
  Barracudas can reach at least 14 years of age. The spawning season lasts from April to October. Females can release about 5,000 to 30,000 eggs. The diets of these top predators of reefs are composed almost totally of fish, cephalopods, and occasionally shrimp. Large barracudas, when gorged, may attempt to herd a school of prey fish in shallow water where they guard over them until they are ready for another hunt.
caption: Great barracuda with prey
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