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Other
names:
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oahu fish,
Pacific kingfish
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Scientific
name:
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Acanthocybium
solandri
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Genus:
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SCOMBRIDAE
FAMILY |
Worldwide in tropical
and warm temperate seas. Pelagic and seasonally migratory, It tends
to be a loner or travel in small groups of 2 to 6 fish .
The upper jaw is movable and the
teeth are large, strong and laterally compressed. The gill structure differs
from that of other members of the tuna and mackerel family (Scombridae),
most closely resembling the gill structure of the marlins.
Additionally, it has no gill rakers. The back is a brilliant, deep, blue
sometimes described as metallic or electric blue. Bright blue vertical
bands, or "tiger stripes," flow down the sides onto the silver and sometimes
join into pairs on the belly. These beautiful stripes are not, however,
always prominent in large specimens and occasionally may be missing entirely.
It feeds on squid and pelagic fishes, including small mackerel and tuna,
flying fish, puffers, and whatever appears desirable since few fish can
escape. It is reputed to be one of the fastest fish in the sea, attaining
speeds of 50 mph (80 km) and more.
Occasionally this fish jumps on the strike and often shakes its head violently
when hooked in an effort to free itself. Fishing methods include trolling
with whole, rigged Spanish mackerel, mullet, ballyhoo, squid or other
small baits as well as with small baits or artificial lures. Live bait
fishing and kite fishing are productive, but the Wahoo is a relatively
scarce species and is usually taken incidentally while fishing for other
oceanic species.
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