any of about 50 species of marine fishes of the family Paralepididae, found almost worldwide in deep waters. Barracudinas are long-bodied, slender fishes with large eyes, pointed snouts, and large mouths provided with both small and larger, fanglike teeth. Barracudinas grow to about 60 cm (2 feet) long. They are not often seen but are sometimes attracted to bright lights at the surface. They are notable mid-water predators, and in turn it is thought that they may be an important food for larger fishes, such as tunas and swordfish.