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Family Scombridae. Mackerels and Tunas Common species: King Mackerel ( Scomberomorus cavalla ) Spanish Mackerel ( Scomberomorus maculatus ) Little Tunny ( Euthynnus alletteratus ) Bluefin Tuna ( Thunnus thynnus ). Yellowfin Tuna. Constitute < 10% of the worlds total catch by weight.
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Family Scombridae • Mackerels and Tunas • Common species: • King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) • Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) • Little Tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) • Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Yellowfin Tuna Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Constitute < 10% of the worlds total catch by weight Top carnivores of the epipelagic zone in both tropical and subtropical seas Capture through high speed swimming (Thunniform swimming) Scombridae Characteristics Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Thunniform Swimming Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Typical ectothermic fish From the heart, blood enters the gills where it becomes the same temp. as the surrounding water Passes to the core of the body cooling the core temperature of the fish Endothermic Swimming muscles are close to the body core and heat exchangers (rete mirabile)conserve generated heat Heat Exchangers Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
King & Spanish Mackerel King Mackerel Spanish Mackerel Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Little Tunny • Fast growing species • 1 year = 14” • 4 years = 30” Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Bluefin Tuna • Undergo extensive migrations for feeding and reproduction • Speculation on the two stock theory in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Family Scorpaenidae • Scorpionfishes & Rockfishes • Common species: • Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri) • Spinycheek Scorpionfish (Neomerinthe hemingwayi) Spotted Scorpionfish Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Scorpaenid Characteristics • Most spp. are similar in appearance • Large head, mouth, eyes, and pectoral fins Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Most spp. possess toxic spines in dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins Scorpaenid Venom The neurotoxin can be injected by means of venom glands at the base of hypodermic needle-like spines Some spp. aggressively angle spines towards humans Stonefish have deadly venom Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Scorpaenidae Spines Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Lionfish Stonefish Venomous Scorpaenids Scombridae & Scorpaenidae
Rockfish & Ocean Perch • Pacific coast species • Commercially viable but slow growth rate makes them overexploited • Most spp. average 25-50 years old and can reach 140 years Scombridae & Scorpaenidae