In Ponta do Sol, if you go for a snorkelling or swimming trip at the beach, you may encounter a swarm of 30 – 40 juvenile Yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis) in the inside of the bay close to the wave breakers. These fish, harmless for humans, can grow up to a length of 1m and are then voracious predators of other fish. These fish are hunted in cooperation in groups of several barracudas. Adult barracudas live in the open waters, while juveniles are commonly found in sheltered bays where they stay for protection. So next time when you go to the ocean keep an eye out for these striped fish.
By Horst Schulte
Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bicudas_%28Sphyraena_viridensis%29,_Cabo_de_Palos,_Espa%C3%B1a,_2022-07-17,_DD_31.jpg