Latin name

Makaira mazara

Other names

Makaira mazara

Identification

The snout is long. The lateral line is looped and almost indistinguishable in adults. Vertebrae: 24. The body is elongated and not very compressed. The shape of the body and the proportions of its parts change greatly with age. The upper jaw merges into a strong, but not very long beak. The bill is long, very thick and round in cross section. The nape is conspicuously raised. The right and left gill membranes are completely fused, but without an isthmus. The gill stamens are absent. The body is densely covered with elongated, thick, bony scales, each of which often has 1 or 2, sometimes 3 posterior spicules. The caudal peduncle has strong double keels on each side and a shallow notch on both the dorsal and ventral surfaces.

Features of fish fins

The pectoral fin is low. In fish 1.9 m long, the pectoral fin is almost equal to the length of the head. Two dorsal fins and two anal fins. The fins are supported by bony rays. The first anal fin is relatively large, triangular, with a sharp tip. In large fish, the pelvic fins are shorter than the pectoral fins. 

Fish colouring

Dorsum black-blue, belly silver-white. The first dorsal fin is blackish with intense blue stripes, the other fins are blackish brown with blue stripes. At the base of the first and second anal fins are silvery white stripes.

Distribution

Subtropical and tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Habitat

Marine, pelagic-oceanic, oceanodromous species. Depth range from 0 to 200m, usually 100-250 m. 

Size

Length up to 4.35 m. Maximum declared weight: 170.0 kg. Maximum declared age: 28 years.

Behavior

Makes seasonal north-south migrations. Usually not seen near land or islands unless the shelf is very deep. Mainly found in the upper 37 m. They are thought to form small schools of up to 10 individuals. Larger fish tend to swim individually.

Food and feeding habits

Juveniles feed on zooplankton, including planktonic eggs and larvae of other fish. Adults switch to feeding on fish, primarily mackerel (mackerel, tuna) and squid.

Reproduction

Spawning probably occurs year-round in equatorial waters up to 10° latitude and during summer periods in both hemispheres up to 30° latitude in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Southern Hemisphere, aggregations of spawning fish are probably observed around French Polynesia.

Fishing

Catchable on trolling rods. The flesh is of good quality.

Relationship with a person

Commercial fishing.