Blow Goat

Catches of Auxis are usually not identified to species. However, almost the entire Atlantic and Mediterranean catch is supposedly A. rochei . Between 1977 and 1981, 14 countries reported catches of Auxis from Fishing Areas 21, 27, 31, 34 and 47. The highest catches were reported by Ghana, Italy, Spain and Venezuela (FAO, 1983). The total catch in 1999 (Auxis rochei and Auxis thazard ) was 316 t, mainly Turkey 316 t.

Cosmopolitan in warm waters. See distribution map in generic section.

Pectoral fins short, not reaching vertical line from anterior margin of scaleless area above corselet; corselet well developed in its posterior part (more than 6 scales wide, usually 10 to 15) under second dorsal fin origin). Colour: a pattern of 15 or more fairly broad, nearly vertical dark bars in the scaleless area.

Maximum fork length is 50 cm in Japanese catches, common to 35 cm. Common fork lengths in the Indian Ocean range between 15 and 25 cm (Silas & Pillai, 1982). Fork length at first maturity off Gibraltar is 35 cm in females and 36.5 cm in males (Rodriguez-Roda, 1966).

An epipelagic, neritic as well as oceanic species. The spawning season may vary from region to region depending on the hydrographical regime: in many parts of the Mediterranean and in the Straits of Gibraltar, maturing fish are common from May onwards, and more than 30% are spent by September. In large areas of the Gulf of Mexico, peaks of batch spawning are reported from March to April and from June to August, while in the coastal waters from Cape Hatteras to Cuba and in the Straits of Florida, the spawning season begins in February. Indirect evidence suggests that the season extends at least from June through July off Taiwan Island and from May through August off southern Japan as indicated by gonad indexes and larval counts respectively. Silas (1969) estimated fecundity as ranging between 31 000 and 103 000 eggs per spawning according to the size of the fish. Food consists largely of small fishes, particularly anchovies and other clupeoids (Etchevers, 1957). For other pertinent information on the biology see generic section on Auxis .

Back bluish, turning to deep purple or almost black on head. Scaleless area with pattern of 15 or more fairly broad, nearly vertical dark bars. Belly white. Pectoral and pelvic fins purple, their inner sides black. Body robust, elongate and rounded. Teeth small and conical, in a single series. Pectoral fins short, not reaching vertical line from anterior margin of scaleless area above corselet. A large, single-pointed flap (interpelvic process) between pelvic fins. Body naked except for corselet, which is well developed in its posterior part 9 more than 6 scales wide under second dorsal-fin origin). A strong central keel on each side of caudal-fin base between 2 smaller keels (Ref 9684).

A schooling species, usually confined to oceanic salinities and with an optimum temperature between 27 and 27°C. Its larvae has the widest temperature tolerance among the tuna species studied, at least between 21.6 and 30.5°C.

Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 12 - 14

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Fecundity ranges between 31,000 and 103,000 eggs per spawning according to the size of the fish.

Bomolochus Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Callitetrarhynchus Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Phyllodistomum Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Colocynotrema Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Opepherotrema Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Phacelotrema Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Didymozoon Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Tergestia Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Rhipidocotyle Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Hexostoma auxidi Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Caligus Infestation 1. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Adults are principally caught in coastal waters and around islands (Ref. 9340). Form schools. Feed on small fishes, particularly anchovies, crustaceans (especially crab and stomatopod larvae) and squids. Eggs and larvae are pelagic (Ref. 6769). Because of their abundance, they are considered an important element of the food web, particularly as forage for other species of commercial interest. Also caught with encircling nets and troll lines (Ref. 9340). Marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 9340) and also dried or salted, smoked and canned (Ref. 9987).

fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: very high; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species

廣泛分布於世界各熱帶及亞熱帶海域。包括地中海及黑海。台灣各海域皆產，尤其是東部及南部海域。

各沿岸國重要之食用魚，每年全世界之產量可達10-50萬公噸。一般漁法以圍網、定置網、流刺網、一支釣、延繩釣等等。煎食、味噌湯或加工成製品皆宜。

體紡錘形，橫切面近圓形，背緣和腹緣略弧形隆起；尾柄細強，兩側在尾鰭基部各具一中央隆起脊和2條小的側隆起脊。頭中大，稍側扁。吻尖，大於眼徑。眼較小，位近頭的背緣。口中大，端位，斜裂；上下頜等長，上下頜各具一列細小尖銳齒。鋤骨、腭骨和舌上均無齒。第一鰓弓上之鰓耙數為43-48。體在胸甲部被圓鱗，胸甲部鱗向後延伸止於第2離鰭之下方，其餘皆裸露無鱗；左右腹鰭間具1大鱗瓣；側線完全，沿背側呈波形彎曲延伸，伸達尾鰭基。第一背鰭具硬棘X-XII，與第二背鰭起點距離遠，其後具8個離鰭；臀鰭與第二背鰭同形；尾鰭新月形。體背側藍黑色，腹部淺灰色，體背側在胸甲後方具不規則之蠕蟲紋斑。

近海大洋性中表層洄游魚種。群游性，游泳速度快。以鯡、鯷等小魚及烏賊為食。

This schooling species has an optimum temperature between 27 and 27.9°C. Adults are principally caught in coastal waters and around islands (Ref. 9340). Feeds on small fishes, particularly anchovies, crustaceans (especially crab and stomatopod larvae) and squids. Because of their abundance, they are considered an important element of the food web, particularly as forage for other species of commercial interest. Also caught with encircling nets and troll lines (Ref. 9340). Marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 9340) and also dried/salted, smoked and canned (Ref. 9987).

Southern N.S, and Mass. To N.C. and probably throughout W. Indies

nektonic