Fish ID - Mackerals, Tunas and Snake Mackerels

Upper sides have 5-11 oblique dark stripes and may have broad diffise faint bars underlying stripes

First dorsal fin has a straight to slightly concave margin, separated from the second dorsal fin by a small interspace

bluish to green to blue that fades into silver color

well developed scales on corset

Atlantic Bonito

Metallic blackish blue dorsally and silvery on sides and below

pectoral fins are very long and reach well beyond the second dorsal fin origin (to or beyond the second dorsal finlet)

The second dorsal fin is slightly yellow

caudal fin has a white margin

Albacore

Faint ot dark wavy oblique lines that break around the dusky spot (where it switches from dark blue to silver)

Blue dorsally that fades into silver

eyes with adipose lids are relatively large

Two small keels at caudal base

dorsal fins are about equal to dorsal fin base

Atlantic Chub Mackerel

Dorsal fins are yellow and short

large eye

metallic blackish blue dorsally silvery below

Pale spot and lines may be present on lower sides

pectoral fins are very long in small specimens

Bigeye Tuna

Pectoral fins are relatively long

can have pale vertical streaks

metallic blue to a yellowish luster then silver on the bottom

finlets are dusky with a yellow trace

second dorsal and anal fins are silver

Blackfin Tuna

Oblique pale lines and spots on the lower sides

anal fin has a dark margin

short pectoral fins

Finlets are dusky yellow with a dark margin

metallic blue to blakc then silver colore

Bluefin Tuna

large distance between dorsal fins

pper scaleless area about 15 irregular oblique bars (above corselet)

Dark blue dorsally and purple/blue to blackish on the head

corselet well-developed goin toward back

short pectoral fins that do not extend past the corselet

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Bullet Mackeral

rusty-orange to yellow streak on sides along midline with a similarly colored oblong spot present above and below the streak

The anterior portion of the dorsal fin is black with a white base

iridescent green to blue-green and silver below the color

later line gradually slopes

Cero

The upper scale-less area has 15 or so irregular, wavy bars. (top back is above corselet and extending to the tail)

Dark blue dorsally then purple to blackish by head

corselet is very narrow as it goes back

dorsal fins are widely separated

pectoral fins are short but reach slightly beyond the corselet

mid level thick shape (extended oval)

Frigate Mackerel

The young have yellow to gray spots on the sides

small pectoral fin with scales at the base

lateral line slopes downward under the second dorsal fin

irridescent blue with greenish reflections dorsally and silver below

King Mackerel

Dorsal fins are connected at the base

Several faint to dark spots on the abdomen below the pectoral fins

upper scaleless area with highly variable cluster of narrow oblique wavy dark lines

greenish to dark blue dorsally then silvery below

Little Tunny

lower side has 4-6 grayish stripes that may appear discontinuous or blotchy

dorsal fins separated by small interspace

bluish black dorsally and silvery below

upper scaleless area may have several oblique iridescent bands

Skipjack Tuna

Sides have several rows of fairly evenly spaced rusty-orange to yellow oval spots

The anterior portion of the first dorsal fin is black-white at the base

The second dorsal and pectoral fin have dusky tips

iridescent greenish to blue-green dorsally, silvery below

lateral line gently sloping

Spanish Mackerel

lower sides have 20 ish pale vertical lines

metallic blackish/blue dorsally then yellow into silvery on sides

longer 2nd dorsal & anal & smaller eye

second dorsal and ana; fins tall and get taller with age

Yellowfin Tuna

Iridescent bluish green dorsally, silvery below with irregular bars on sides (down the whole body)

long pointed snout

first dorsal fin has 23-27 spines that originate over pectoral fin base

second dorsal followed by 9 finlets

Wahoo

almost uniformly dark brown or black with age

sinuous lateral line

caudal peduncle with one strong keep and 2 smaller keels

2nd dorsal is followed by 4-6 finlets

first dorsal is low with 8-9 spines

Escolar

Elongated and compressed body

dark brownish-gray to blackish brown

dorsal and anal fins are pale brownish-gray

mouth and head are large

first dorsal has 20-21 spines

Black Snake Mackerel

double lateral line with both branches originating above upper gill opening

Two flat spines at the opercular margin

dark brown dorsally, silvery on sides and below fins, dark

The first dorsal fin originates over the opercle

moderately compressed body

American Sackfish

Long-bodied

mouth adn head are large with jaws with conical fleshy tips

dark brown with violet sheen, fins blackish

dorsal fin with 19-21

Black Gemfish

The second dorsal and anal fins have a similar shape and are followed by 2 finlets

silvery gray to coppery brown color

Fins blackish in large specimens, but can be yellow with black tips

First dorsal with 17-19 spines

Single alteral line arched anteriorly

Roudi Escolar

Brown to dark brown

abdomen keeled with bony scales

The tips of the pectoral and pelvic fins are blackish

Second dorsal fins followed by two finlets

lateral line is straight posteriorly

Oilfish