Great Barracuda

Photo: Kent Ross · CC BY-NC

Great barracuda gather in loose schools of 20 to 50 individuals around the current-swept top of Layag-Layag Reef, hovering almost motionlessly as they face into the flow and monitor passing fish schools. Their silvery torpedo bodies and glassy stares are a signature sight of open-water Philippines diving, and the schools at this pinnacle are among the most reliably encountered in Batangas. Solitary larger individuals often lurk at the edges of the school and will occasionally make swift passes at baitfish caught in the current.