| Family: |
Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos), subfamily: Scombrinae |
| Max. size: |
105 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 14 kg |
| Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Southern Ocean: circumglobal. One individual taken in Los Angeles Harbor. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 15-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 13-14; Vertebrae: 40-40. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body naked ventrally behind the long anterior corselet. Dorsal half of body to lateral line covered with scales. Swim bladder absent. The back is bluish, turning to deep purple or almost black on the head; the belly is white, without stripes or spots; the pectoral and pelvic fins purple, their inner sides black. |
| Biology: |
An occasionally schooling species which feeds mainly on krill (euphausiids), and also on squids and small fishes. Juveniles are found between 20 and 35°S at surface temperatures ranging from 19 to 24°C. Its flesh is paler than that of most true tunas and is very oily, but the cooked meat has fine eating qualities. Mainly marketed fresh. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2022 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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