Barracuda vs. Pike — What's the Difference?

Known for their speed and aggressive nature, often feared by swimmers.

A freshwater fish known for its elongated body and sharp teeth.

A predatory tropical marine fish with a slender body and large jaws with sharp teeth.

Found across the Northern Hemisphere in lakes and rivers.

Commonly found in both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

They are often sought after for sport fishing due to their size and fight.

Barracudas can exhibit curious behavior, sometimes following divers.

Pike can be quite territorial during the breeding season.

They are a popular game fish in sport fishing.

Predatory by nature, known for their lie-and-wait hunting strategy.

A barracuda, or cuda for short, is a large, predatory, ray-finned fish known for its fearsome appearance and ferocious behaviour. The barracuda is a saltwater fish of the genus Sphyraena, the only genus in the family Sphyraenidae which was named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815.

A long spear formerly used by infantry.

Any of various predatory marine fishes of the genus Sphyraena, having an elongated body and a projecting lower jaw with fanglike teeth.

A freshwater game and food fish (Esox lucius) of the Northern Hemisphere that has a long snout and attains a length of over 1.2 meters (4 feet). Also called northern pike.

Any large marine fish of the genus Sphyraena that have elongated bodies, a projecting lower jaw, displaying prominent fang-shaped teeth, and are aggressive predators.

Any of various fishes closely related to this fish, such as the muskellunge or the pickerels.

(figuratively) One who uses harsh or predatory means to compete.

Any of various fishes that resemble this fish.

Any of several voracious pikelike marine fishes allied to the gray mullets, constituting the genus Sphyræna and family Sphyrænidæ. The great barracuda (Sphyræna barracuda) of the West Indies, Florida, etc., is often six feet or more long, and as dangerous as a shark. In Cuba its flesh is reputed to be poisonous. Sphyræna Argentea of the Pacific coast and Sphyræna sphyræna of Europe are smaller species, and are used as food.

A turnpike.

A large edible fresh-water fish of Australia and New Zealand (Thyrsites atun).

A tollgate on a turnpike.

Any voracious marine fish of the genus Sphyraena having an elongated cylindrical body and large mouth with projecting lower jaw and long strong teeth

A toll paid.

A hill with a pointed summit.

A spike or sharp point, as on the tip of a spear.

A mid-air position in sports such as diving and gymnastics in which the athlete bends to touch the feet or grab the calves or back of the thighs while keeping the legs together and straight.

To attack or pierce with a pike.

To move quickly.

A very long spear used two-handed by infantry soldiers for thrusting (not throwing), both for attacks on enemy foot soldiers and as a countermeasure against cavalry assaults.

A sharp, pointed staff or implement.

A large dry]] before adding to a haystack.

Any carnivorous freshwater fish of the genus Esox, especially the northern pike, Esox lucius.

A position with the knees straight and a tight bend at the hips with the torso folded over the legs, usually part of a jack-knife.

A pointy extrusion at the toe of a shoe.

Especially in place names: a hill or mountain, particularly one with a sharp peak or summit.

(obsolete) A pick, a pickaxe.

A hayfork.

A penis.

(historical) A style of shoes with long toes, very popular in Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries.

A gypsy, itinerant tramp, or traveller from any ethnic background; a pikey.

(transitive) To prod, attack, or injure someone with a pike.

To assume a pike position.

To bet or gamble with only small amounts of money.

Often followed by on or out: to quit or back out of a promise.

(intransitive) To equip with a turnpike.

To depart or travel (as if by a turnpike), especially to flee, to run away.

A foot soldier's weapon, consisting of a long wooden shaft or staff, with a pointed steel head. It is now superseded by the bayonet.

A pointed head or spike; esp., one in the center of a shield or target.

A hayfork.

A pick.

A pointed or peaked hill.

A large haycock.

A turnpike; a toll bar.

A large fresh-water fish (Esox lucius), found in Europe and America, highly valued as a food fish; - called also pickerel, gedd, luce, and jack.

A broad highway designed for high-speed traffic

Highly valued northern freshwater fish with lean flesh

A sharp point (as on the end of a spear)

Medieval weapon consisting of a spearhead attached to a long pole or pikestaff; superseded by the bayonet

Any of several elongate long-snouted freshwater game and food fishes widely distributed in cooler parts of the northern hemisphere

While barracudas are capable of inflicting serious injuries, unprovoked attacks on humans are rare.

Pike often ambush their prey, using their camouflaged body to stay hidden until the moment they strike.

Pike thrive in freshwater systems like lakes, rivers, and streams with plenty of cover like weeds.

Pike spawn in shallow waters during early spring, often guarding their territories briefly.

Barracudas live in saltwater environments, particularly in tropical and subtropical oceans.

Barracudas are generally silver, helping them blend into the open water.

Barracudas release their eggs into the water column, where they are fertilized externally.

Yes, pike fishing is quite popular, especially in Europe and North America, due to their challenging nature.

Due to their size and predatory nature, barracudas are not suitable for home aquariums.

Some barracudas can grow up to 6 feet in length, depending on the species.

Pike's diet includes fish, amphibians, and sometimes small mammals.

Pike are found in temperate regions across the Northern Hemisphere.

Barracudas use their speed and sharp teeth to snatch prey, often slicing through schools of fish.

Larger fish, certain birds of prey, and humans are among the predators of pike.

Anglers often use techniques like trolling and spinning to catch pike.