Family Scombridae

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Family Scombridae. Mackerels and Tunas Common species: King Mackerel ( Scomberomorus cavalla ) Spanish Mackerel ( Scomberomorus maculatus ) Little Tunny ( Euthynnus alletteratus ) Bluefin Tuna ( Thunnus thynnus ). Yellowfin Tuna. Constitute < 10% of the worlds total catch by weight. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 1

Family Scombridae• Mackerels and Tunas• Common species:

o King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)

o Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus)

o Little Tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus)

o Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Yellowfin Tuna

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 2

Scombridae Characteristics• Constitute < 10%

of the worlds total catch by weight

• Top carnivores of the epipelagic zone in both tropical and subtropical seaso Capture through

high speed swimming (Thunniform swimming)

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 3

Thunniform Swimming

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 4

Heat Exchangers• Typical ectothermic

fisho From the heart, blood

enters the gills where it becomes the same temp. as the surrounding water

o Passes to the core of the body cooling the core temperature of the fish

• Endothermico Swimming muscles

are close to the body core and heat exchangers (rete mirabile)conserve generated heat

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 6

King & Spanish Mackerel

King Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 7

Little Tunny• Fast growing

species o 1 year = 14”o 4 years = 30”

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 8

Bluefin Tuna• Undergo extensive

migrations for feeding and reproduction

• Speculation on the two stock theory in the Atlantic and Mediterranean

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 9

Family Scorpaenidae• Scorpionfishes &

Rockfishes• Common species:

o Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri)

o Spinycheek Scorpionfish (Neomerinthe hemingwayi)

Spotted Scorpionfish

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 10

Scorpaenid Characteristics• Most spp. are

similar in appearance

• Large head, mouth, eyes, and pectoral fins

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 11

Scorpaenid Venom

Some spp. aggressively angle spines towards humans

The neurotoxin can be injected by means of venom glands at the base of hypodermic needle-like spines

Stonefish have deadly venom

Most spp. possess toxic spines in dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 12

Scorpaenidae Spines

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 13

Venomous Scorpaenids

Lionfish

Stonefish

Scombridae & Scorpaenidae 14

Rockfish & Ocean Perch• Pacific coast

specieso Commercially

viable but slow growth rate makes them overexploited

o Most spp. average 25-50 years old and can reach 140 years

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