|
FAO Names |
 |
En - Skipjack tuna; Fr - Listao; Sp - Listado. |
Size |
|
 Maximum fork length
is about 108 cm corresponding to a weight of 32.5 to 34.5
kg; common to 80 cm fork length and a weight of 8 to 10
kg. The all-tackle angling record is a 18.93 kg fish with
a fork length of 99 cm taken in Mauritius in 1982. Fork
length at first maturity is about 45 cm. |
| Diagnostic Features | |
 Body fusiform,
elongate and rounded. Teeth small and conizal, in a
single series; gillrakers numerous, 53 to 63 on first
gillrakers. Two dorsal fins separated by a small
interspace (not larger than eye), the first with 14 to 16
spines, the second followed by 7 to 9 finlets; pectoral
fins short, with 26 or 27 rays; interpelvic process small
and bifid; anal fin followed by 7 or 8 finlets. Body
scaleless except for the corselet and lateral line. A
strong keel on each side of caudal fin base between 2
smaller keels. Swimbladder absent. Vertebrae 41. Colour:
back dark purplish blue, lower sides and belly silvery,
with 4 to 6 very conspicuous longitudinal dark bands
which in live specimens may appear as discontinuous lines
of dark blotches. |
| Geographical Distribution | |
 Cosmopolitan in tropical and warm-temperate waters; absent from the Black Sea. |
