Atlantic barracuda

Photo: Dennis Rabeling · CC BY-NC-ND

The yellowmouth barracuda is the Atlantic counterpart of the Indo-Pacific great barracuda and is the dominant barracuda species in the Canary Islands. Schools of juveniles aggregate in autumn when nutrient-rich upwelling water brings baitfish concentrations; adults are typically solitary. Despite their intimidating appearance and speed, attacks on divers are exceedingly rare and are almost exclusively attributable to shiny reflective jewellery mimicking scales.