Euthynnus alletteratus (Rafinesque, 1810)
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 15; Vertebrae: 39. Anterior spines of first dorsal fin much higher than the those mid-way, giving the fin a strongly concave outline. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body naked except for corselet and lateral line. Swim bladder absent. Incipient protuberances on 33rd and 34th vertebrae. Back with broken oblique stripes (Ref. 168). Caudal peduncle with 7-8 finlets. Dark stripes on the back and with 3-7 dark spots between pelvic and pectoral fins (Ref. 35388).
Common Names
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Scombriformes
Family: Scombridae
Genus: Euthynnus
Species: Euthynnus alletteratus (Rafinesque, 1810)
Climate Zone
Location
- Atlantic Ocean: in tropical and subtropical waters, including the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Highly migratory species
Biology
Found in neritic waters close inshore (Ref. 13628). This schooling species is an opportunistic predator which feeds on virtually everything within its range, i.e. crustaceans, fishes (mainly clupeoid), squids, heteropods and tunicates. Eggs and larvae are pelagic (Ref. 6769). Specialized traps (madragues) are used in Tunisia and Morocco. Diving bird flocks may indicate large schools (Ref. 9710). Utilized fresh, dried-salted, smoked, canned and frozen (Ref. 9987). A popular game fish (Ref. 9710).
Habitat
brackish
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Threat to Humans
Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Euthynnus alletteratus (Rafinesque, 1810)