Atlantic bonito
📖 Overview
Epipelagic, neritic and schooling species that may enter estuaries. Known to be cannibalistic, adults prey on small schooling fishes, invertebrates like squid and shrimps and can swallow relatively large prey. Eggs and larvae pelagic . Utilized fresh, dried or salted, smoked, canned and frozen . Able to adapt to different temperatures 12° to 27°C and salinities 14 to 39 .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 20 - 23; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 17; Vertebrae: 50 - 55. Mouth moderately large. Laminae of olfactory rosette 21-39. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body completely covered with very small scales posterior to the corselet. Swim bladder absent. Spleen large. Liver with elongate left and right lobe and short middle lobe. Oblique dorsal stripes with a greater angle than in other species of Sarda.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Atlantic bonito is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Atlantic bonito eat mackerel, menhaden, alewives, silversides, sand lances, and other fishes, as well as squid.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous ; depth range 80 - 200 m . Subtropical; 12°C - 27°C ; 62°N - 40°S, 98°W - 42°E South Africa.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- heavy 30-80 lb class trolling rod
- conventional reel
- 80-130 lb wind-on leader
- temperature breaks
- floating debris
- current edges
- offshore seamounts
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ International management (ICCAT, WCPFC). Strict quotas and size limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palamita sarda | Bloch | 1793 | Synonym |
| Pelamis sarda | Bloch | 1793 | Synonym |
| Pelamys sarda | Bloch | 1793 | Synonym |
| Sarda mediterranea | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Sarda pelamis | Brünnich | 1768 | Heterotypic |
| Scomber mediterraneus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Scomber palamitus | Rafinesque | 1810 | Synonym |
| Scomber pelamis | Brünnich | 1768 | Synonym |
| Scomber ponticus | Pallas | 1814 | Synonym |
| Scomber sarda | Bloch | 1793 | Synonym |
| Thynnus brachypterus | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Thynnus sardus | Bloch | 1793 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 699 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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