A.
It looks like a great big cigar, (1) it is really a dangerous saltwater fish called barracuda. This (2) fish has a narrow body which grows to be from four to six feet long. However it may reach ten feet in (3) ! The barracuda looks very much (4) the pike, a freshwater fish.
B.
Although the barracuda is not related (5) the pike, it is like that freshwater fish in being a fearless fighter. The barracuda has a large mouth and strong jaws that hold knifelike (6) . When attacking or defending (7) the barracuda moves like lightning. It usually feeds on other fish. But it has been known to (8) swimmers. No wonder it is called "the tiger of the sea" !
C.
The barracuda is usually found in warm, tropical seas or (9) . The most dangerous kind, the great barracuda, is found off the (10) of Florida, Bermuda, and the West Indies. (11) caught for food live in the warm waters off the coast of California and Australia.
D.
To (12) its enemies, the barracuda can camouflage itself. It does this by taking on the color of its (13) . Its back changes from light brownish green (14) deep blue, its sides sparkle with silvery tones, and its belly is chalky white. The barracuda’s tail and fins may be greenish yellow or gray.
E.
Bright eyes flash as it roams the (15) . When it rests on the sandy ocean floor, it becomes ahnost (16) as long as it stays quite still. Even when it prowls around a coral reef, it is difficult to spot, even in (17) water. People who (18) for sport try to excite the barracuda to move by tying a long, white rag behind their moving boat. However, they are often (19) . But they never give up trying to trick "the (20) of the sea