Euthynnus lineatus
Black Skipjack
Collection Details
Specimens
Photos
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Records
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Perciformes (Perciformes, Also Called the Acanthopteri)
Scombridae (Mackerels)
Euthynnus
Euthynnus lineatus (Black Skipjack)
Description
This species account was compiled from
FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2025. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version 04/2025.)
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Characters
Body shape: fusiform / normal. Anterior spines of first dorsal fin much higher than 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. A large rounded protuberances on 31st and 32nd vertebrae. Color is generally iridescent blue with black dorsal markings composed of 3 to 5 horizontal stripes. Also with variable black or dark gray spots above the pelvic fins. Occasionally with extensive longitudinal stripes of light gray on belly; some individuals have few or no belly markings. Striking features: none.
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: off San Simeon, California, USA southward to the Galapagos Islands and northern Peru. Two stray specimens collected in the Hawaiian Islands.
Habitat Associations
Marine. pelagic-oceanic. depth range 0-40 m.
Biology
Occurs rarely where surface temperatures fall below 23°C. Its larvae are more frequently encountered at temperatures above 26°C and are practically confined to waters within about 240 miles off the mainland. Inhabits near the surface of coastal waters and offshore waters (Ref. 11035). Form multi-species schools with Thunnus albacares and Katsuwonus pelamis. An opportunistic predator which shares feeding pattern with other tunas and probably compete for food with other species such as yellowfin tuna, common dolphin, oriental bonito, among others.
Max length: 84.0 cm FL; common length: 60.0 cm FL; max weight: 9120 g.
Reproductive mode: dioecism; fertilization: external; nonguarders (open water/substratum egg scatterers); parental care: none.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2022-03-01. Resilience: Medium (Assuming tm=2).
Commercial or Environmental Importance
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish.
References
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.
Humann, P. and N. DeLoach (1993) Reef fish identification. Galápagos. New World Publications, Inc., Florida. 267 p.
Comments On Euthynnus lineatus