Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Katsuwonus pelamis
- Common name
- Skipjack tuna
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Scombridae
- Genus
- Katsuwonus
- Size
- 40–110 cm
- Depth
- 0–260 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- schooling, fast-moving
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Katsuwonus pelamis reaches 110 cm and 35 kg. Small tuna characterized by 4 to 6 dark horizontal bands on silver belly, dark blue-violet back. Cosmopolitan tropical to temperate distribution. Forms the largest tuna schools in the world, main target for industrial fishery (canned tuna). Key prey of pelagic predators (marlin, shark, cetaceans). Surface hunts on sardines sometimes observed from boats in Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde. Rare but spectacular diving encounters in open water.
Photo of Skipjack tuna
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Skipjack tuna?
- Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) reaches 40–110 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Skipjack tuna?
- Skipjack tuna is found between 0–260 m deep.
- Is the Skipjack tuna dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Skipjack tuna?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Skipjack tuna?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Scombridae
- Scomber scombrus - Atlantic mackerel
- Thunnus thynnus - Atlantic bluefin tuna
- Thunnus alalunga - Albacore
- Sarda sarda - Atlantic bonito
- Thunnus albacares - Yellowfin tuna
- Thunnus obesus - Bigeye tuna
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 127018)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2374191)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia