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Bonito (Sarda lineolata) — Scombridae

Bonito

Sarda lineolata
Family: Scombridae

The Bonito (Sarda lineolata) is a saltwater fish of the family Scombridae that grows up to 102 cm.

Length
102 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific; coastal waters from Alaska to Baja California.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Pacific bonito is a mackerel relative (Scombridae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has a streamlined, torpedo-shaped, steel-blue body with oblique dark stripes on the back and a deeply forked tail. It is an inshore species that forms schools by size and, as a fast, sight-hunting predator, preys on small schooling fishes and squids. It is a valued sport and food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bonito?

The Bonito has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Steel blue with oblique dark stripes on the back; fast schooling predator and sport fish.

Where does the Bonito live?

The Bonito lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Northeast Pacific; coastal waters from Alaska to Baja California.

How big does the Bonito get?

The Bonito grows to a maximum of about 102 cm.

Is the Bonito dangerous to humans?

No, the Bonito is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bonito edible?

Yes, the Bonito is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bonito (Sarda lineolata) — Scombridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bonito (Sarda lineolata) — Scombridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) kylie-phillips, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bonito (Sarda lineolata) — Scombridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) axeleriax, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bonito (Sarda lineolata) — Scombridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Zach Fratello, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bonito verified
Scientific name
Sarda lineolata
Family
Scombridae
Other names
Eastern Pacific bonito; Pacific bonito verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
102.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; coastal waters from Alaska to Baja California. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small schooling fishes and squid sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Steel blue with oblique dark stripes on the back; fast schooling predator and sport fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sarda

More from the family Scombridae

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