Great Barracuda

Photo: Amy Deacon · CC BY-NC

Solitary great barracuda of 1–1.5 metres regularly hold station in the current flow off the wall face at New Guinea Reef, using the upwelling to position themselves effortlessly while scanning for prey fish below. Their presence is a reliable sign of healthy reef fish biomass, as barracuda require abundant prey populations to sustain themselves. Divers approaching slowly and avoiding sudden movements can get within a few metres of these silver predators before they shift position.