Skipjack tuna- A Common fish in open oceans

NameSkipjack Tuna
Kingdom Animalia
PhylumChordata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderPerciformes
FamilyScombridae
GenusKatsuwonus
SpeciesK. pelamis
Binomial NameKatsuwonus pelamis

What is skipjack tuna

Skipjack tuna fish is an economically valuable species that is a common fish species in open ocean water, which is in around most countries, especially in tropical areas and temperature waters. Their juicy flesh is a globally accessible food among the seafood lover. It is extensively used in Japanese seafood restaurants. This species is also used to make Maldive fish and dry fish.

This fish, known in English as the Skipjack Tuna, and it zoologically named Katsuonus pelmis. It is also called as Arctic Bonito, Oceanic Bonito, Striped Tuna and Mushmouth. This fish belongs to the genus Scombridae. The Scombridae family is home to some of the world’s most economical and familiar marine fishes. This family consists of 51 species of marine fish, among the species of fish such as Skipjack tuna, Yellowfin tunas, Spanish mackerel, King mackerel, Snake mackerel, Frigate Tunas, Bonita, etc..

Skipjack Tuna
Skipjack Tuna

Features of the Skipjack tuna Fish

The body shape is usually elongated. A fully mature fish can grow up to one meter in length. But most of the fish caught in the seas around the tropical regions are less than 80 cm in length. The body shape of the fish is more fusiform than the other Scombridae fish species. Furthermore, the cross-section of the fish body is approximately spherical. Their average body weight is 5-10 kg, and the average lifespan ranges between 7 to 12 years.
The two dorsal fins of the fish are separated. However, in front of the caudal fin or tail, there is a well-developed upside protruded edge. Usually, the fins of the this tuna are dark in complexion. However, the anal fin is white color. The body has not covered with scabs except for the corselet and the lateral line.

Read also:   Bigfin Squid- Rare vivid Morphological cephalopods
Skipjack Tuna Fish- Source- https://fisheries.msc.org/

The most accessible feature to recognize this tuna fish is that there are about 4-6 dark blue color straight lines extending laterally through the abdomen. The abdomen is silver with a faint blue tinge on the dorsal side.

Feedings

Skipjack tuna feeds on small fish, squids, octopus, shrimp, and crabs. Therefore they are most likely to live in herds for hunting. They are abundant not only in the deep sea but also in the shallow continental shelf. This common fish live in South America, East Africa, Madagascar, Lakdiv Islands, Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka.
This is an edible prey species for Sharks and other large marine predatory species.

Tuna for selling

Share This Article: