Scary fish @ Castaway Cay- Do you know what it is?

[DisneyDiva4ever]

I wouldn't let the Baracuda pic scare you into sitting on the beach vs. going snorkeling. In all the times I've snorkeled at CC I've never had any problems with these guys. In fact, some of them have become regulars according to the lifeguards! When you have questions, just ask the lifeguards & they'll tell you a story or two about some of the fish in the lagoon. They even refer to one of the Baracuda as "Barry." If they've named him & are aware of his presence, he must be ok, right? Snorkeling at CC is a great experience & shouldn't be missed.

 

[Merylj]

We saw some BIG fish snorkelling off Grand Cayman - we were warned though, did the guide say they were Tarpin??? Anyhow when I saw one I nearly had a fit. The guide stressed we must not put our heads out of the water and shout SHARK!

 

[Mortlives]

I've never seen barracuda as a problem. As I understand it, even sharks attacking humans is mistaken identity (I guess they don't see so well, so you want to look large and dark in the water). Unfortunately, for me that gets easier every year.

They did a show on mythbusters where they demonstrated that sharks don't react to human blood in the water. Did they ever go after the fish squeezin's, though! It was very informative.

 

[AshAlytwins]

Now if you would have taken the Altantis tour you would have been eduated about the fish. The barracudas are very curious and like to check our the snorlkers. If you leave them alone they will leave you alone. I was told by a disney expert that the fish that are in the snorkle area were hand raised and are hand feed so that they know humans are their friends and they are not afraid of them. I loved the snorkleing and look forward to it again in November!

 

[Capt_BJ]

#1 'cuda ... no mistake there

#2 milk shark? http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=899

my guess is nurse shark http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=91 not an unusual one to see in shallows around Fl and Bahamas

most attacks by 'cuda and sharks happen in low visibility, when the swimmer is mistaken for something else as we are not a primary food group for them. 'cuda have been known to strike at shiny things....they are mistaken for small shiney fish?

Note there have also been cases of 'cuda coming shooting out of the water right into a boat striking someone. REALLY! Now, should this be cause to not go on a boat? No. The chances of this happening is less than that of being hit by lightning on a sunny day.

In the typically clear water of CC you should never have a problem from either ... but 'cuda are known to be curious and may come a bit nearer than you feel comfortable about. A nurse shark however is a real recluse, and would probably clear the area or find a rock to hide under. Nurse sharks are about the least aggressive sharks out there.

And it seems every popular snokeling site eventually has a resident 'cuda named Barry .... I never realized so many people remembered Diver Dan from WGN Chicago!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Barracuda WILL bite you and like shiny things, so don't snorkle with jewerly...they are here off our coast and I have been diving with them...they make me nervous, but they have never bothered me either

 

[DVCDawn]

The very first time I went snorkeling was a few years ago (OK, I'm a late bloomer). Anyway, I had the good fortune of snorkeling with our good friends -- a couple who both have PhDs in biological oceanography. Very cool -- you point to any fish and they would identify. They told me that when barracuda's are "hunting" they travel in packs of three. So, if you don't see three in the same general vicinity, I figure you're safe. That said, I wouldn't get too close, you know?

DVCDawn

 

[jillane88]

Just chiming in to repeat what others have said "don't snorkel with jewelry". I was wearing a silver anklet and was bit numerous times by a trigger fish while snorkeling - not at CC. I kept thinking I hit a rock or coral or something and finally I looked down and saw the fish trying to get my anklet. No blood, not even a mark, but it freaked me out none the less. Once I removed the anklet, I had no more problems.

I will be snorkeling at CC - without the anklet!

Heather

 

[Amlee]

Most fish in general are attracted by shiny jewelry. So it's a good idea when swimming or snorkling to not wear any jewelry at all.

 

[KimberlyC]

That first pic definitely looks like a barracuda. I'm no fisherwoman, but I watch way too much of the discovery channel. They can be really dangerous because of their sharp teeth and strong jaws. I understand that they are common in Hawaiian waters. They are nocturnal and are attracted to shiny things.

How close to shore was your DH when he encountered it?

 

[LAMPSKIES]

DW had REFUSED to snorkle anywhere there were fish....that narrows it down till i got her out at CC in 04. We were in the lagoon snorkeling together when she drifted over to the sunken sub. I was about 50 yards away when I see her flailing her arms heading towards me.....I thought she was going to run across the top of the water. Yep, out popped CCs baracuda....

 

[Chuckles]

lots of info on the internet--"Although barracuda attacks on humans are rare, they are feared by swimmers in some places. Evidence shows that the barracuda can be dangerous to humans when provoked, being attracted to erratic movement (swimmers have been fatally bitten by them) and bright colors. Overall, however, the low number of alleged attacks does not completely support its dangerous reputation."

Have seen barracuda on a number of occasions while diving and/or snorkeling without a problem. Most recently....took a waverunner/snorkel excursion in Cancun. We tied the waverunners together in about 12' of water and snorkeled in the underwater park. During our swim, 4' barracuda took up residence under the waverunners.... I guess he's a regular...just hanging out in the shade!

 

[rtphokie]

Barracuda WILL bite you and like shiny things, so don't snorkle with jewerly...they are here off our coast and I have been diving with them...they make me nervous, but they have never bothered me either

barracude in particular like shiny things. While snorkeling on RCCL's private island I came alongside another swimmer who brought a can of cheese wiz. The bottom of the can was very shiny. Soon we had a dozen or so baracudas right around us. Some swam up from behind me. A less than fun feeling to see those things appear.

I dont know that the cheese wiz is the best thing for the fish to be eating but they sure did love it.

While snorkeling on a CCL cruise off St Marten we came face to face with a couple thousand of these needlefish:

They were everywhere and it was easy to loose others in your party. The bad thing was that we were over coral at the time and couldn't stand up. You just had to swim and hope you were going in the right direction. Not the best excursion we've been on.

 

[WDWLVR]

And it seems every popular snokeling site eventually has a resident 'cuda named Barry .... I never realized so many people remembered Diver Dan from WGN Chicago!

I remember good old Diver Dan from the Ray Raynor show on WGN. I think, however, that having a barracuda named Barry is pretty much like having a goldfish named Goldie.

 

[fakereadhed]

From my fishing/diving experience: 1.lures are sparkly for a reason-do not try to dress like one if you don't want a bite, 2. all of those fish(barracuda,etc)are in the ocean when you are swimming. Just cause you can see them underwater diving or snorkeling doesn't increase their appetite for you. You will be fine! In fact that barracuda probably went home and told tales of the scary creature HE saw in the water that day.

note on cheeze whiz: good idea if you want the fish version of "The Birds"

 

[TheWog]

DW had REFUSED to snorkle anywhere there were fish....that narrows it down till i got her out at CC in 04. We were in the lagoon snorkeling together when she drifted over to the sunken sub. I was about 50 yards away when I see her flailing her arms heading towards me.....I thought she was going to run across the top of the water. Yep, out popped CCs baracuda....

I'm picturing that right now... hehehe

if it were me, I'm picturing how much trouble I would be in back on the beach.

 

[musicgirl]

Yes, that would be Barry the Barracuda. We asked the guards about what it was AFTER it swam right under me. DH was just dying when he watched it because I didn't know it was swimming under me.

 

[jhorstma]

DW and I had close encounter of the Barry kind while snorkeling in the CC lagoon - cool as can be! He just blended in and appeared out of nowhere, BAM! we looked up and there he was within easy handshake distance. He checked us out and then casually swam away from us. Very neat, especially with the freaky/spooky nature of it. And the water does a great job magnifying his size.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

DW had REFUSED to snorkle anywhere there were fish....that narrows it down till i got her out at CC in 04. We were in the lagoon snorkeling together when she drifted over to the sunken sub. I was about 50 yards away when I see her flailing her arms heading towards me.....I thought she was going to run across the top of the water. Yep, out popped CCs baracuda....

LOL! That is exactly how I was in Cancun in 1995... they said they never saw anyone climb up on the "fake" island as fast as I did. (the kind that is deep water and you have to climb up on it- sorta like a raft? I dunno what you call that place) All it took was someone saying they saw a barracuda- I was outta there. LOL To be fair it was my first time snorkeling and I was already kinda freaked that all the purty little fish kept coming straight for my face in schools of fish.. not one or two- many coming at me over and over. LOL Oh and I'm deathly afraid of sharks and other large fish. LOL

I thought the first picture was a barricuda, but didn't want to guess wrong. I thought it was just my paranoia about fish talking (ie: all are big scary with big teeth LOL). I guess I don't have enough faith in my animal planet/discovery channel watching. I would have been right- it is a barricuda. Glad to know what to avoid now. Where's a scared shivvering emoticon when you need it? LOL

 

[Amlee]

When I was in Fiji last May, I was about up to my waist in the water when someone in our group said "Look at those sea snakes!" It didn't take me long to make it back to dry land. BUT about the time I got back to land someone on the beach yelled BAT. I'm like ok, I can handle a BAT. Until I looked up and the thing looked like a Bald Eagle darting down out us. :