Skipjack tuna
Skipjack tuna, scientifically known as Katsuwonus pelamis, is a prominent species found in tropical oceans worldwide. Recognized for its distinctive behavior of skipping across the water's surface while hunting smaller fish, this fast-swimming tuna can reach speeds of up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour. Typically measuring over three feet (one meter) and weighing up to 75 pounds (35 kilograms), skipjack tuna are characterized by their streamlined, oval shape, dark back with blue and red markings, and several black stripes on their lighter sides.
These fish are vital to commercial fisheries and are particularly significant in the Pacific Ocean, where they are caught in large quantities for the canned tuna industry. Skipjack tuna are not just popular for their economic value; they also play an essential role in the culinary traditions of various cultures, including sushi in Japan. Known for their ability to maintain a higher body temperature than their surroundings, skipjack tuna exhibit enhanced muscle performance, allowing them to be agile predators. Living in schools, these fish migrate long distances, appearing in different waters, which contributes to their status as a widely consumed fish species globally.
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Skipjack tuna
The skipjack tuna is a species of fish that resides in tropical oceans throughout the world. The skipjack tuna is an important resource for commercial fisheries. It goes by many different names around the world. It common name is given due to its habit of skipping over the surface of the water in pursuit of other smaller fish to eat. It is a fast fish, able to swim up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Perciformes
Family: Scombridae
Genus: Euthynnys
Species: Katsuwonus pelamis
The skipjack tuna is one of at least seven tuna species. A full-grown skipjack may measure a little over three feet (one meter) long and weigh up to 75 pounds (35 kilograms). The skipjack's body is shaped like a stretched oval with a large tail at one end. Its first dorsal, or back, fin has a high, sharp point. Its second dorsal second dorsal fin is shorter than the first. Behind the second dorsal fin is a row of small finlets which run into the forked, crescent-shaped caudal, or tail, fin. A similar set of finlets runs between the caudal fin and the short, pointed anal fin on the underside of the body. A small pelvic fin is attached on the fish's underside below its pectoral fins.
The skipjack's back is dark but with blue and red markings along the upper sides. Below these markings are three to five black stripes on its light-colored sides and belly. Its scales may be small or absent.
The skipjack's streamlined body allows it to swim at great speed. Part of its streamlining comes from the slots on the back side of the fish where its spiny dorsal fin fits when it is swimming quickly. Having the dorsal fin lower on its body decreases water resistance on the fish's body. The skipjack tuna is capable of cruising through the water at a speed of 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour. It has large eyes to navigate through dark water.
The skipjack tuna, along with the other tuna species and the mackerel shark, has the distinct feature of having a higher body temperature than the water around it. Other fish are cold-blooded, which means their body temperatures are the same as the temperatures of their surroundings. The skipjack, however, is able to maintain a warmer body temperature because it is so active and because of its complex circulatory system. This system keeps body heat within the blood instead of losing it to the water through the gills. This body heat provides the fish with greater muscle power, which in turn means greater speed for feeding, escaping, and migrating.
The skipjack tuna typically lives in schools. These schools may migrate great distances between seasons. One benefit of migration is that the fish appear in the waters of different countries. This is important since the skipjack is a valuable species for commercial fishermen, particularly in the Pacific Ocean. Skipjack tunas will also travel with other species of fish. Other valuable tuna species for fishermen are the albacore (Thunnus alalunga), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), bigeye (Thunnus obesus), and bluefin (Thunnus thynnus). Of the seven species of tuna, the bluefin is the largest, measuring up to 14 feet (a little over four meters) long and weighing up to 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms).
During the night, the skipjack tuna will typcially swim near the ocean's surface. During the daytime, it is more active in deeper waters.
More skipjack tuna is caught and consumed than any other type of fish. It makes up a large percentage of the canned tuna industry. The skipjack tuna is also is part of the cultural cuisine of many international communities, for example, sushi in Japan.
Similar species:
- Mackerel tuna(Euthynnus affinis)
- Little tunny(Euthynnus alletteratus)
- Black skipjack tuna(Euthynnus lineatus)
Bibliography
Ivan, Lori. “Katsuwonus pelamis Arctic Bonito.” Animal Diversity Web, 2000, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Katsuwonus‗pelamis. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
“Skipjack Tuna.” A-Z Animals, 16 Feb. 2021, a-z-animals.com/animals/skipjack-tuna. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
“Skipjack Tuna.” Animalia, 2024, www.animalia.bio/skipjack-tuna. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.