Sarda orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844)
Striped bonito
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos), subfamily: Scombrinae
Max. size:  102 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 11 kg
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 1 - 167 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: widespread but with many gaps in its known distribution. Eastern Pacific: Hawaiian Islands and Pacific coast of USA to southern tip of Baja California and Tres Marias Islands extending to Cabo Blanco, Peru (especially during El NiƱo events), the Galapagos Islands and Gulf of Guayaquil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 17-19; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 14-16; Vertebrae: 44-45. Mouth moderately large. Laminae of olfactory rosette 21 to 39. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body completely covered with very small scales posterior to the corselet. Swim bladder absent. Spleen large and prominent in ventral view. Liver with elongate left and right lobes and a short middle lobe. Back with narrow oblique stripes.
Biology:  A coastal species (Ref. 9340) found schooling with small tunas. Also found around some islands (Ref. 9684). Feeds on clupeoids, other fishes, squids and decapod crustaceans. Spawning varies with the monsoon season (Ref. 9684). Also caught with troll lines, encircling nets (Ref. 9340) and drift nets (Ref. 9684). Marketed mainly fresh; also dried-salted (Ref. 9684), canned and frozen (Ref. 9987).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 December 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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