The barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size and fearsome appearance. Its body is long, fairly compressed, and covered with small, smooth scales.  Juvenile barracuda often congregate in large schools while adults tend to be more solitary. Barracuda have long had the reputation for posing a risk to swimmer and divers due to their ability to lunge at prey using bursts of speed and seemingly menacing under bite. Fortunately, attack on humans have been rare.

A school of barracuda can be a tantalizing sight due to how well the species’ small, smooth scales reflect the light. Combined with the great visibility of Tubbataha, it does make for a great spectacle.

Here’s great footage of the school of barracuda that one of our live aboard groups encountered during the 2015 season.