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Black skipjack (Euthynnus lineatus) — Scombridae

Black skipjack

Euthynnus lineatus
Family: Scombridae
LC · Least Concern

The Black skipjack (Euthynnus lineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scombridae that grows up to 84 cm.

Length
84 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The black skipjack is a tuna (Scombridae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has a powerful, torpedo-shaped body with a few dark lengthwise stripes over the back and a couple of dark spots below the pectoral fin. It is a fast, schooling surface fish of warm coastal waters and rarely occurs where the surface water drops below twenty-three degrees. As a predator it hunts fishes, squid and crustaceans. It is a food and sport fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black skipjack?

The Black skipjack has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Black skipjack live?

The Black skipjack lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Black skipjack get?

The Black skipjack grows to a maximum of about 84 cm. On average the species is around 60 cm.

Is the Black skipjack dangerous to humans?

No, the Black skipjack is harmless to humans.

Is the Black skipjack edible?

Yes, the Black skipjack is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte boniet sourced
English name
Black skipjack verified
Scientific name
Euthynnus lineatus
Family
Scombridae
Other names
Black skipjack verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
84.0 verified
Average length (cm)
60.0 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Euthynnus

More from the family Scombridae

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