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Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Skipjack tuna
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Native range | All suitable habitat | Point map | Year 2050
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Katsuwonus pelamis   AquaMaps   Data sources: GBIF OBIS
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Image of Katsuwonus pelamis (Skipjack tuna)
Katsuwonus pelamis
Male picture by Freitas, R.


South Africa country information

Common names: Bonito, Katunkel, Lesser tunny
Occurrence: native
Salinity: marine
Abundance: | Ref:
Importance: minor commercial | Ref: van der Elst, R.P. and F. Adkin (eds.), 1991
Aquaculture: | Ref:
Regulations: no regulations | Ref: van der Elst, R., 1993
Uses: gamefish: yes;
Comments: Occurs throughout the coast (Ref. 4332); common from Algoa Bay to the east coast (Ref. 5313). Stock sound; probably underexploited; important game fish (Ref. 4332). Angling record: 9.1 kg (Ref. 12484).
National Checklist:
Country Information: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/sf.html
National Fisheries Authority:
Occurrences: Occurrences Point map
Main Ref: Collette, B.B. and C.E. Nauen, 1983
National Database:

Common names from other countries

Classification / Names Noms communs | Synonymes | Catalog of Fishes(Genre, Espèce) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa

> Scombriformes (Mackerels) > Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos) > Scombrinae
Etymology:   More on author: Linnaeus.

Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range Écologie

marin; océanodrome; profondeur 0 - 260 m (Ref. 9340), usually 0 - ? m (Ref. 55287).   Tropical; 15°C - 30°C (Ref. 168); 63°N - 47°S, 180°W - 180°E

Distribution Pays | Zones FAO | Écosystèmes | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri

Cosmopolitan in tropical and warm-temperate waters. Not found in the Black Sea. Highly migratory species,

Length at first maturity / Taille / Poids / Âge

Maturity: Lm 41.3, range 40 - 45 cm
Max length : 110 cm FL mâle / non sexé; (Ref. 89423); common length : 80.0 cm FL mâle / non sexé; (Ref. 168); poids max. publié: 34.5 kg (Ref. 168); âge max. reporté: 12 années (Ref. 168)

Description synthétique Morphologie | Morphométrie

Épines dorsales (Total): 14 - 16; Rayons mous dorsaux (Total): 14-15; Épines anales 0; Rayons mous anaux: 14 - 15; Vertèbres: 41. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body fusiform, elongate and rounded; teeth small and conical, in a single series; gill rakers on first gill arch numerous, 53-63; D1 XIV-XVI, dorsal fins separated by a small interspace (not larger than eye), the second followed by 7-9 finlets; anal fin followed by 7-8 finlets; pectoral fins short, with 26-27 rays; 2 flaps (interpelvic process) between pelvic fins; body scaleless except for corselet and lateral line; a strong keel on each side of caudal-fin base between 2 smaller keels. Colour of back dark purplish blue, lower sides and belly silvery, with 4-6 very conspicuous longitudinal dark bands which in live specimens may appear as discontinuous lines of dark blotches (Ref. 9684).

Biologie     Glossaire (ex. epibenthic)

Found in offshore waters; larvae restricted to waters with surface temperatures of 15°C to 30°C (Ref. 6390). Exhibit a strong tendency to school in surface waters with birds, drifting objects, sharks, whales and may show a characteristic behavior like jumping, feeding, foaming, etc. Feed on fishes, crustaceans, cephalopods and mollusks; cannibalism is common. Spawn throughout the year in the tropics, eggs released in several portions (Ref. 35388). Eggs and larvae are pelagic (Ref. 6769). Preyed upon by large pelagic fishes (Ref. 6885). Also taken by trolling on light tackle using plugs, spoons, feathers, or strip bait (Ref. 9684). Marketed fresh, frozen or canned (Ref. 9340, 9684 ); also dried-salted and smoked (Ref. 9987).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturité | Reproduction | Frai | Œufs | Fécondité | Larves

In tropical waters, reproductively active female skipjack tuna spawn almost daily.

Référence principale Upload your references | Références | Coordinateur : Collette, Bruce B. | Collaborateurs

Collette, B.B. and C.E. Nauen, 1983. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 2. Scombrids of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of tunas, mackerels, bonitos and related species known to date. Rome: FAO. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(2):137 p. (Ref. 168)

Statut dans la liste rouge de l'IUCN (Ref. 130435)


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