cuda attacks are rare. Was snorkeling in Key West and came upon one not ten feet away. We just stared at each other for a few minutes, and I just swam away.
One other time, was out from Lauderdale beach in about 40' of water and spotted something shiny on the floor. Took a deep breath to go down and investigate. About halfway there, I spotted maybe a dozen cudas, all in a circle around the shiny thing. I didn't continue down :))
They like shiny things more than humans I think.
watched a guy’s “nipple ring” get bit out nipple and all, in about 5’ of water on STX
they’ll bite you just for something to do, but put a shiny in the mix and, well...