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Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Skipjack Tuna
Family: Scombridae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

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Map

Source: Distribution of Katsuwonus pelamis as compiled by Aquamaps

Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15; Vertebrae: 41. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body without scales except for the corselet and the lateral line. Swim bladder absent. The back is dark purplish blue, lower sides and belly silvery, with 4 to six very conspicuous longitudinal dark bands which in live specimens may appear as continuous lines of dark blotches.

Source: FishBase. Collette, B.B. and C.E Nauen. 1983 . (Ref. 168)

Biology

Species Biology

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). Environment: pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); marine; depth range 0 - 260 m (Ref. 9340), usually 0 - ? m (Ref. 55287). Climate: tropical; 15 – 30°C (Ref. 168); 58°N - 47°S, 180°W - 180°E

Source: FishBase. Collette, B.B. and C.E Nauen. 1983 . (Ref. 168)

Distribution

Distribution

Cosmopolitan in tropical and warm-temperate waters. Not found in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Ref. 28950) and the Black Sea. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139).

Source: FishBase. Collette, B.B. and C.E Nauen. 1983 . (Ref. 168)

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNot Listed



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Additional Range and Status Information Links

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 University of Alaska Museum

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