Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Upper jaw reaching well behind eye; teeth on jaws villiform (Ref. 4832).
Migration
provided by Fishbase
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.
- Recorder
- Crispina B. Binohlan
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 27; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 14 - 18
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Occurs in coastal waters, but enters lagoons and estuaries (Ref. 4832). Young and adults feed on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 5213). Probably spawn at sea, but the transparent larvae migrate to inshore areas and are often found in brackish water (Ref. 7050). Are voracious carnivores that take fish, squid and shrimp bait (Ref. 3968).
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Occurs in coastal waters, but enters lagoons and estuaries (Ref. 4832) [actual freshwater records remain to be confirmed]. Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Young and adults feed on small fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 5213). Probably spawn at sea, but the transparent larvae migrate to inshore areas and are often found in brackish water (Ref. 7050). Are voracious carnivores that take fish, squid and shrimp bait (Ref. 3968). Edible, but not tasty and full of bones (Ref. 3968). A total length of 126 cm for this species has been reported from Knysna, South Africa (G. Bernardt, pers. comm., e-mail: gerard@smallstreams.com) .
- Recorder
- Crispina B. Binohlan
Importance
provided by Fishbase
fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
- Recorder
- Crispina B. Binohlan