CREATURE FEATURE
with instructor Heather Berkshire
MARCH 2007 - Years ago, during my open water certification dive, I came face to face with the biggest fish I had ever seen underwater. As it stared at me with pointed appendages protruding from a half open mouth, I nervously wondered what its’ next move would be. The place? An Indiana rock quarry. The appendages sticking out of its’ mouth? Whiskers! The fish? It was a Catfish!
Easily a pound and a half, two pounder if you’re a fisherman.
Later, when my Scuba Diving moved into the ocean, I would discover an even more terrifying looking fish that can grow fifty times bigger than my little catfish. And instead of whiskers, it had teeth hanging out of its’ mouth! However, it’s threat level to me: about the same as the little catfish.
Introducing: the Great Barracuda! Because of its’ intimidating appearance, the Great Barracuda is a highly misunderstood creature. Scientifically known as the Sphyraena barracuda, it is a cylindrical, silver fish that can range anywhere from 1.5 feet to 6 feet. The Great Barracuda is very common here in South Florida. I have seen them in shallow waters of 5 feet to as deep as 115 feet. At the big shipwrecked freighter known as the Jim Atria, one of our popular dive sites, you will surely encounter a few Great Barracudas.
Many people are scared of the Great Barracuda because of its menacing look. They tend to bare their teeth as if they are smiling and they like to follow divers around. Much of this behavior is a result of their curiosity. They open and close their mouth to aid in respiration. Obliviously anyone should be careful around any marine life, but observing a Great Barracuda is a cool experience as they like to “hang out” and watch what’s going on. So next time, try not to judge the Great Barracuda. Their looks maybe deceiving but they are a beautiful creature! Enjoy!!