Mackerel Tuna (species: Euthynnus affinis) in Sydney Marine Life (Gaia Guide)
Sydney Marine Life > Actinopterygii > Perciformes > Euthynnus affinis (gallery)
Euthynnus affinis
Mackerel Tuna


©Richard Field: Mackerel Tuna (Euthynnus affinis)

©John E. Randall: Mackerel Tuna (Euthynnus affinis)

©Lyle: A school of Euthynnus affinis at Day Reef near Lizard Island.

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Perciformes
Family Scombridae
Genus Euthynnus
Species Euthynnus affinis

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Distinguishing features

Distinguishing features still need to be specified.

Size

  • Up to 100 cm (FL) - applies to Commonly around 60cm.

Depth range

  • From 0 m to 200 m - applies to More common to coastal waters, less than 50m.

Synonyms

Comments

Often confused with Australian Bonito, the Mackerel Tuna has a distinct dorsal colouration of broken diagonal lines and two to five dark spots above the pelvic fin.

by Damon Bolton

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Occurs in open waters but always remains close to the shoreline. The young may enter bays and harbors. Forms multi-species schools by size with other scombrid species comprising from 100 to over 5,000 individuals.

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island area: Schools of Mack Tuna are frequently seen feeding at the surface.

Web resources

References

  • Fowler, A.M., J.M. Leis and I.M. Suthers (2008). Onshore-offshore distribution and abundance of tuna larvae (Pisces: Scombridae: Thunnini) in near-reef waters of the Coral Sea, Fisheries Bulletin, 106: 405-416. LIRS catalog number 1152.
  • Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene (1990). Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene (1997). Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea: Second edition Crawford House Publishing, Bathurst, NSW.