Bullet Mackerel

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

Epipelagic in neritic and oceanic waters (Ref. 9340). Feeds on small fish, squids, planktonic crustaceans (megalops), and stomatopod larvae (Ref. 5213). Because of their abundance, they are considered an important element of the food web, particularly as forage for other species of commercial interest. Preyed upon by larger fishes, including other tunas (Ref. 9987). Confined to oceanic salinities with strong schooling behavior. Though larvae have a high temperature tolerance (at least between 21.6 and 30.5°C), the widest among tuna species studied, their optimum temperature is between 27 and 27.9°C.

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

In correlation with temperature and other environmental changes, the spawning season varies with areas, but in some places it may even extend throughout the year.

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.)

This species is distinguished by the following characters: a robust body, elongated and rounded; teeth small and conical, in a single series; total gill rakers on first gill arch 36-42; dorsal fins 2, D1 X-XII, separated from the second by a large interspace (at least equal to length of first dorsal-fin base), second dorsal fin followed by 8 finlets; anal fin followed by 7 finlets; pectoral fins short, but reaching past vertical line from anterior margin of scaleless area above corselet; a large single-pointed flap (interpelvic process) between pelvic fins; body naked except for the corselet, which is well developed and narrow in its posterior part (no more than 5 scales wide under second dorsal-fin origin); a strong central keel on each side of caudal-fin base between 2 smaller keels. Colour of back bluish, turning to deep purple or almost black on the head; a pattern of 15 or more narrow, oblique to nearly horizontal, dark wavy lines in scaleless area above lateral line; belly white; pectoral and pelvic fins purple, inner sides black (Ref 9684).

Adults are epipelagic in neritic and oceanic waters (Ref. 9340). They feed on small fish, squids, planktonic crustaceans (megalops), and stomatopod larvae (Ref. 5213). Because of their abundance, they are considered an important element of the food web, particularly as forage for other species of commercial interest. They are preyed upon by larger fishes, including other tunas (Ref. 9987). Marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 9340) and also utilized 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