| Sarda
chiliensis
chiliensis (Cuvier,
1832) |
|
| Family: |
Scombridae
(Mackerels, tunas, bonitos) |
 |
| Order: |
Perciformes
|
| Class: |
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) |
| FishBase name: |
Eastern Pacific bonito |
| Max. size: |
40 in TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 25 lb |
| Environment: |
pelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth range 0 -
330 ft |
| Climate: |
subtropical; 0°S - 35°S |
| Importance: |
fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes |
| Resilience: |
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 -
4.4 years (K=0.15; tm=2) |
Distribution:
|
Southeast Pacific: northern Peru to Talcahuano,
Chile. The northern subspecies S. chiliensis lineolata
occurs from off the coast of Alaska, southward to Cabo San Lucas at the
tip of Baja California, and in the Revillagigedo Islands. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal
spines
(total): 17-19; Anal
soft
rays: 12-15; Vertebrae
: 42-46. Mouth moderately large. Laminae of olfactory rosette 21 to 39.
Interpelvic process small and bifid. Swimbladder absent. Spleen large and
prominent in ventral view. Liver with elongate left and right lobes and a
short middle lobe. Body completely covered with very small scales
posterior to the corselet. |
| Biology: |
A coastal species that reaches sexual maturity at
two years of age. Older individuals are encountered farther
from the coast as compared to the juveniles. Spawning is
discontinuous and a female of 6 lb may produce millions of eggs per season. Forms schools by size. Feeds on a variety of small schooling
fishes, squids and shrimps. This species is important to the recreational
hook and line fishery operating from private and party boats, piers and
jetties, and from the shore. Also caught with encircling nets.
Utilized fresh, canned and frozen; eaten broiled and baked. |
| Red List Status: |
Not in IUCN Red List |
| Dangerous: |
harmless |
