[4] Barracuda are snake-like in appearance, with prominent, sharp-edged, fang-like teeth, much like piranha, all of different sizes, set in sockets of their large jaws.

The caudal fin is moderately forked with its posterior edge double-curved and is set at the end of a stout peduncle.

The swim bladder is large, allowing for minimal energy expenditure while cruising or remaining idle.

[11] Barracudas are ferocious, opportunistic predators, relying on surprise and short bursts of speed, up to 27 mph (43 km/h),[13] to overtake their prey.

Common prey fish include jacks, grunts, groupers, snappers, small tunas, mullets, killifishes, herrings, and anchovies; often by simply biting them in half.

Barracudas generally attack schools of fish, speeding at them head first and biting at them with their jaws.

In this case, they can relocate schools of fish into compact areas or lead them into shallow water to more easily feed on them.

Barracudas are scavengers, and may mistake snorkelers for large predators, following them hoping to eat the remains of their prey.

Swimmers have reported being bitten by barracudas, but such incidents are rare and possibly caused by poor visibility.

[15] One incident reported a barracuda jumping out of water and injuring a kayaker,[16] but Jason Schratwieser, conservation director of the International Game Fish Association, said that the wound could have been caused by a houndfish.

[19] Those who have been diagnosed with this type of food poisoning display symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort, limb weakness, and an inability to differentiate hot from cold effectively.