Genus: Katsuwonus, Skipjack Tuna

KATSUWONUS

SKIPJACK TUNA

Elongate, fusiform, no fatty eyelid; jaw teeth slender, conical; top of tongue with 2 ridges; gill rakers 53-63; 2 dorsal fins barely separated; XIV-XVI spines on 1st dorsal; 7-9 finlets after 2nd dorsal and anal fins; short, V shaped bony process between pelvic fins; 1 large + 2 small keels on tail base; tail fin deeply forked; 1 lateral line; well developed corselet of scales on front of body; 4-6 prominent dark stripes along belly.

A single worldwide species in tropical and temperate waters.