Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766)
Bluefish
Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL
Classification
Actinopterygii | Perciformes | Pomatomidae
Synonyms
Gasterosteus saltatrix, Cheilodipterus saltatrix, Cheilodipterus heptacanthus,
... more
Common names
Tassergal, Anjova, Blue fish,Tailor
Main reference
Dooley, J.K. 1990. (Ref. 9986)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator | Collaborators
Size / Weight / Age
Max length : 130 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 11441); common length : 60.0
cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3482); max. published weight: 14.4 kg (Ref. 4699);
max. reported age: 9 years (Ref. 6845)
Length at first maturity
Lm 29.0, range 30 - ? cm
Environment
Pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); brackish; marine; depth range
0 - 200 m (Ref. 54708)
Climate / Range
Subtropical; 45°N - 44°S, 180°W - 180°E
Distribution
Circumglobal: In tropical to subtropical waters; except the eastern Pacific
(Ref. 33390). Eastern Atlantic: Portugal to South Africa, including the
Mediterranean and Black Sea, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. Western Atlantic:
Canada and Bermuda to Argentina (Ref. 7251). Indian Ocean: along the coast
of East Africa, Madagascar, southern Oman, southwest India, the Malay Peninsula,
and Western Australia (Ref. 11441). Southwest Pacific: Australia except
the Northern Territory, and New Zealand (Ref. 11441). Absent from eastern
Pacific and northwest Pacific. Barely entering the Western Central Pacific
region. Records from the Northern Territory, Australia and from Indonesia
appear to be erroneous (Ref. 9860). Occurrence in Taiwan (Ref. 5193) and
Hawaii (Ref. 4517) need verification.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Short description
Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 - 28; Anal spines:
2 - 3; Anal soft rays: 23 - 27. Jaw teeth prominent, sharp, compressed,
in a single series. Two dorsal fins, the first short and low, with 7 or
8 feeble spines connected by a membrane. Back greenish, sides and belly
silvery (Ref. 9860).
Biology
Glossary (e.g. epibenthic)
Occur in oceanic and coastal waters (Ref. 26340). They are most common along
surf beaches and rock headlands in clean, high energy waters, although adults
can also be found in estuaries and into brackish water (Ref. 6492). Small fish
may be found in shallow coastal waters at least 2 m depth (Ref. 9563), in schools
pursuing and attacking small fishes (Ref. 9626). Adults are in loose groups,
often attacking shoals of mullets or other fishes and destroying numbers apparently
far in excess of feeding requirements (Ref. 9860). Feed on other fish (Ref. 5377),
crustaceans and cephalopods (Ref. 47377). Associated with sharks and billfishes
(Ref. 26340). Voracious and aggressive (Ref. 9626), reported to bite when handled.
Migrate to warmer water during winter and to cooler water in summer (Ref. 9987).
Popular game fish (Ref. 6638). Good food fish; marketed mostly fresh (Ref. 9860),
but also dried or salted (Ref. 5284), and frozen (Ref. 9987).
.
