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ORANGE BEACH, Alabama — A man was bitten by a fish, possibly a barracuda, after falling off a personal watercraft into the Gulf of Mexico this afternoon near the Flora-Bama Lounge, authorities said.

The unidentified man was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Fla., and was treated there for a bite to the ankle that was not considered life-threatening, Orange Beach Fire Chief Forney Howard told the Press-Register.

Dismissing early reports that a shark may have been responsible, Howard said be believed that a barracuda attacked the man after he fell into the water. Howard said the man was able to get back on the watercraft and come ashore to get help. The incident happened at about 3 p.m., he said.

The barracuda is an aggressive predator that is common to warm waters in many parts of the world, including the Gulf of Mexico. It can grow to more than 40 pounds. 

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