非常に遊泳力の強い魚で時速40km,アジ,サバ,イワシ等の群の中でひん欲に捕食すると言われる(Ben-Tuvia, 1973)。通常,体長は60cmで,最大体長は110cm(Collette, 1981)。南アフリカではゲームフィッシュとして重要。冬季に比較的沖合海域で産卵する(van der Elst, 1976)。
(稲田伊史)
Material examined:
4 from Argentina (173-364 mm SL), FSFL EL 763; EM 52, 555, 631.
Description:
D Z-[, T, 23-28; A U, T, 24-27; P1 14-16; P2 T, 5; GR 4-5+9-10=13-15; LLS 84-100.
HL 28.5-29.7% of SL; ED 3.6-4.6; BD 25.2-30.4; SN 7.9-8.6; IO 7.8-8.0; UJ 12.7-13.5; CP 7.9-9.1; P1L 16.8-17.9; P2L 10.7-11.7.
Body stout, oblong, slightly compressed, covered with small, faintly ctenoid, deciduous scales. Head large, compressed, dorsal profile evenly curved; interorbital area slightly concave; mouth large and slanting; lower jaw protruding anterior to upper jaw; posterior end of upper jaw reaching level of posterior margin of eye. Villiform teeth present on vomer and palatines and base of tongue; both jaws have a series of strong, sharply pointed teeth. Preopercle with a dermal flap over subopercle; its outer margin smooth. Two dorsal fins; first dorsal fin short and low with 7 to 8 feeble spines; second dorsal fin long, with 1 spine and 23 to 28 rays; anal fin slightly lower than second dorsal fin; pectoral fin short and its tip not reaching level of second dorsal fin origin; caudal fin with stout caudal peduncle, not deeply forked. Head and base of second dorsal and anal fins covered with scales. Lateral line almost straight, composed of simple scales without scutes or spiny scales. Simple air-bladder and numerous pyloric caeca present.
Distribution:
Subcosmopolitan in tropical and subtropical seas, but not around Japan.
Remarks:
A powerful, swift fish, the young hunt in schools, the adults in loose groups. It is well known as a migratory fish. Preys mostly on schooling fishes such as mackerels, horse mackerels, sardines and anchovies (Ben-Tuvia, 1973). This fish makes as exciting game fish, and is good for food (van der Elst, 1976). Usually, 60 cm long, maximum 110 cm SL (Collette, 1981).