The 3 Magnificent Barracuda Species of Koh Tao: Silver Predators of Thailand’s Waters

Puntos principales

• Koh Tao is home to three distinct barracuda species: the Great Barracuda, the Chevron Barracuda, and the Pickhandle Barracuda.
• Each species has unique physical characteristics, behaviors, and preferred habitats around the island.
• Barracudas are fascinating predators that contribute to the marine ecosystem’s balance and provide thrilling encounters for divers.
• The best times and locations to spot these different barracuda species vary around Koh Tao’s dive sites.

Barracuda Species Visual Comparison

Species	Scientific Name	Visual Characteristics	Size	Best Observation Sites
Great Barracuda	Sphyraena barracuda	Silver-gray body with greenish tint on upper body. Dark bars/spots on sides that fade with age. Larger specimens appear more uniformly silver. Pronounced underjaw with visible teeth even when mouth is closed. Crescent-shaped tail fin with white tips.	Up to 1.8m (6ft)	Shark Island, White Rock, Chumphon Pinnacle, Hin Wong Pinnacle
Chevron Barracuda	Sphyraena putnamae	Silver body with distinctive V-shaped (chevron) markings along sides (about 15 dark chevrons). Markings cross the lateral line. More slender build than Great Barracuda. Forked tail fin, typically blackish without white tips.	60-90cm (2-3ft)	Chumphon Pinnacle, Southwest Pinnacle, Sail Rock, Twins
Pickhandle Barracuda	Sphyraena jello	Silver body with approximately 20 wavy bars along sides. Distinctive black tips on fins, especially pectoral and tail fins. Most distinguishable by its yellowish caudal (tail) fin. More slender profile than other species.	40-60cm (16-24in)	Japanese Gardens, Twins, Aow Leuk Bay, Chumphon Pinnacle

Discover the Three Barracuda Species of Koh Tao

Koh Tao’s tropical waters harbor some of Thailand’s most impressive marine predators. Among these, the barracuda family stands out for their sleek bodies, impressive speed, and dramatic hunting behaviors. While many visitors may recognize barracudas as a single type of fish, Koh Tao actually offers encounters with three distinct species, each with its own unique characteristics and behaviors.

The Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)

What They Look Like

The Great Barracuda is the largest of the three species found around Koh Tao, often growing up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) in length. These impressive predators are instantly recognizable by their elongated, torpedo-shaped bodies, pronounced underjaw, and large, widely-spaced teeth that are visible even when their mouths are closed.

Their coloration is typically silvery-gray with a greenish tint on the upper body, and they often display a pattern of dark bars or spots on their sides. These markings tend to fade as the fish ages, with larger specimens appearing more uniformly silver. Their imposing size and somewhat menacing appearance make them one of the most memorable sightings for divers exploring Koh Tao’s waters.

Behavior and Habitat

Great Barracudas are primarily solitary hunters, unlike their schooling cousins. They tend to patrol the edges of reefs and drop-offs, often hovering motionless in mid-water while surveying their surroundings. This behavior makes them particularly photogenic, as they’re frequently willing to maintain their position when approached carefully by divers.

Their hunting style involves explosive bursts of speed—they can accelerate to over 35 mph—allowing them to ambush prey with remarkable efficiency. Great Barracudas are opportunistic feeders, primarily targeting fish like mullet, groupers, snappers, and occasionally squid and shrimp.

Where to Find Them Around Koh Tao

The Great Barracuda can be spotted at several dive sites around Koh Tao, with some locations offering more reliable sightings:

• Isla del Tiburón: This site is particularly known for its resident Great Barracudas, which often patrol the rocky outcroppings.
• Hin Wong Pinnacle: The deeper sections of this site frequently host larger solitary specimens.
• White Rock: Great Barracudas can often be seen lurking around the edges of the reef structures.
• Chumphon Pinnacle: While famous for other barracuda species, large solitary Great Barracudas occasionally make appearances here.

The Chevron Barracuda (Sphyraena putnamae)

What They Look Like

Chevron Barracudas are medium-sized compared to their great barracuda cousins, typically growing to around 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) in length. They derive their name from the distinctive chevron-shaped or V-shaped marks that run along their silvery sides. These markings are more pronounced than those on the Great Barracuda, creating a beautiful pattern that’s especially visible when these fish form their characteristic schools.

They have a more slender build than Great Barracudas, with proportionally smaller heads and less pronounced teeth. Their eyes are relatively large compared to their body size, giving them excellent vision for hunting in both bright and low-light conditions.

Behavior and Habitat

The most distinctive characteristic of Chevron Barracudas is their schooling behavior. Unlike their solitary relatives, Chevrons form impressive schools that can number in the hundreds or even thousands. These schools create mesmerizing, tornado-like formations that spiral through the water column, creating one of the most spectacular sights in Koh Tao’s underwater world.

These schools typically form during daylight hours, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. Their synchronized swimming creates a dazzling visual effect as sunlight reflects off their silvery bodies, serving both as a defense mechanism against larger predators and as a way to coordinate their hunting activities.

Where to Find Them Around Koh Tao

Chevron Barracudas are often found at:

• Chumphon Pinnacle: This is the premier location for witnessing the famous “barracuda tornadoes” formed by massive schools of Chevrons.
• Pináculo del Suroeste: Another excellent deep site where large schools frequently gather.
• Roca Vela: Although technically between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, this pinnacle often hosts impressive Chevron Barracuda schools.
• Gemelos: Schools occasionally pass by this site, particularly during morning dives.

The Pickhandle Barracuda (Sphyraena jello)

What They Look Like

The Pickhandle Barracuda, is the smallest of the three species commonly found around Koh Tao, typically reaching lengths of 40-60 cm (16-24 inches).

They have a more slender body profile than either of their cousins, with a proportionally smaller head. Their coloration is predominantly silver with a bluish tint on the upper body, a yellow tailfin and they display a series of dark bars or blotches along their sides that are more distinct than those of the Great Barracuda but less pronounced than the chevron patterns of the Chevron Barracuda.

Behavior and Habitat

Pickhandle Barracudas typically form small to medium-sized schools, rarely reaching the massive numbers seen with Chevron Barracudas. These schools tend to be looser in formation and more active, constantly moving rather than forming the stable, tornado-like structures characteristic of Chevrons.

They are commonly found around reefs, rubble areas, and even in the sandy areas between coral formations.

Where to Find Them Around Koh Tao

Pickhandle Barracudas can be spotted at several sites around Koh Tao:

• Japanese Gardens: This shallow site is excellent for spotting small schools of Pickhandle Barracudas.
• Gemelos: Small groups often patrol the sandy areas between the two main reef structures.
• Aow Leuk Bay: A good location for snorkelers hoping to spot these smaller barracudas.
• Chumphon Pinnacle: A deeper site where these barracudas are frequently encountered.

For more information on the top dive sites of Koh Tao, click aquí.

Proper Positioning Around Barracuda Schools: Diver’s Guide

Key Positioning Tips:

DO:

• Position yourself to the side of a barracuda school
• Maintain a minimum distance of 3-4 meters
• Stay at the same depth level as the school when possible
• Move slowly and deliberately near any barracuda

DON’T:

• Position directly in the path of a moving school
• Try to swim through or split up a school
• Make sudden movements that could scatter the school
• Approach from above or below the school

Safety Tips When Encountering Barracudas

1. Keep Your Distance: Maintain at least 3-4 meters distance from barracudas, especially solitary great barracudas.
2. No Sudden Movements: Move slowly and deliberately when barracudas are nearby to avoid startling them.
3. Avoid Flash Photography: Don’t use strobes or flash near barracudas as the bright light can disorient or agitate them.
4. No Shiny Objects: Remove or cover shiny jewelry, watches, and dive computer faces that might attract unwanted attention.
5. Don’t Touch: Never attempt to touch, feed, or chase barracudas – respect their space as wild predators.
6. Position Properly: When encountering a school, position yourself to the side rather than in their path.

Conservation Status and Challenges

While barracuda populations around Koh Tao remain relatively healthy, they face challenges similar to many marine species, including:

• Overfishing in surrounding waters
• Habitat degradation due to coastal development
• Climate change impacts on coral reef ecosystems
• Plastic pollution affecting their prey species

Local conservation efforts, including the establishment of marine protected areas and sustainable fishing practices, are helping to protect these magnificent predators. Dive centers and marine conservation organizations around Koh Tao also conduct regular monitoring of barracuda populations to track their health and numbers.

By choosing responsible dive operators and practicing environmentally conscious diving, visitors to Koh Tao can help ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy encounters with all three of these remarkable barracuda species. Their presence is not just a thrilling experience for divers but a vital component of the vibrant underwater world that makes Koh Tao one of Thailand’s premier diving destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions: Barracudas of Koh Tao

Are barracudas dangerous to divers in Koh Tao?

Barracudas around Koh Tao rarely pose a threat to divers. While their appearance with prominent teeth may seem intimidating, attacks on humans are extremely rare. 

What’s the best time of year to see large schools of barracudas in Koh Tao?

The peak season for witnessing the spectacular “barracuda tornadoes” formed by large schools of Chevron Barracudas is during March through September, with the largest formations typically occurring between May and July. These impressive schools are most reliably spotted at Chumphon Pinnacle during early morning dives. Great Barracudas can be seen year-round, while Pickhandle Barracudas form smaller schools that are most active during morning hours in shallower sites regardless of season.

How can I tell the difference between the three barracuda species while diving?

You can distinguish between the three barracuda species by observing:

• Size: Great Barracudas are significantly larger (up to 1.8m/6ft) compared to Chevron (60-90cm/2-3ft) and Pickhandle Barracudas (40-60cm/16-24in).
• Markings: Chevron Barracudas have distinctive V-shaped marks along their sides, Pickhandle Barracudas have black tips on their fins and a yellowish tail, while Great Barracudas have faint bars that fade with age.
• Behavior: Great Barracudas are typically solitary or in small groups, Chevron Barracudas form massive tornado-like schools, and Pickhandle Barracudas gather in smaller, more loosely organized schools.
• Location: The species also tend to prefer different depth ranges and habitats around Koh Tao.

Can I eat barracuda caught in Koh Tao waters?

Barracuda is consumed in most parts of Thailand, usually great barracuda. It’s perfectly safe to eat and delicious.

What’s the best diving technique to use when encountering a school of barracudas?

When encountering a school of barracudas while diving in Koh Tao:

• Position yourself to the side of the school rather than directly in their path
• Maintain neutral buoyancy and stay at the same depth level as the school
• Make slow, deliberate movements to avoid startling the school
• Avoid using flash photography as this can disorient or scatter the school
• Keep a respectful distance of at least 3-4 meters
• For the best experience with Chevron Barracuda “tornadoes,” remain relatively stationary and let the school circle around you rather than trying to chase or follow them
• If diving with a group, spread out rather than clustering together, as this provides better viewing opportunities and reduces the chance of disturbing the school