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False Albacore
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Where Found: The little tunny is found worldwide in tropical to temperate waters, between 56°N-30°S. In the western Atlantic Ocean, it ranges from Massachusetts (US), south to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Bermuda. It is the most common scombrid in the western north Atlantic. Other locations include the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.
Size: The average size of the little tunny is up to 32 inches (81 cm) in length, weighing up to 20 lbs (9.1 kg). The maximum recorded size is 48 inches (122 cm) and 35.3 lbs (16 kg). The little tunny may live to 10 years of age. Females reach maturity at 10.6-14.6 inches (27-37 cm) in length while males mature at approximately 15.7 inches (40 cm).
State Record: 29 lbs. 7 oz. Angler: C. Edwards Jr. 1975
World Record: 35lbs. 2oz. Angler: Yves Chatard Dec. 14, 19.198
Bait used:Live cigar minnows, herring, blue runners, threadfin herring, mullet, atlantic mackerel, and ballyhoo rigged on a live bait fly-line with no weight. Many of these baits can usually be caught by slowly jigging a sabiki rig or gold-hook drop loop rig near the shallow water pilings or by using a cast net in the surf. Dead baits (any of the previously mentioned) also work though not as well, and should be rigged on a dead-bait fly-line with no weight.
Feeding habits: Little tunny is an opportunistic predator, feeding on crustaceans, clupeid fishes, squids, and tunicates. It often feeds on herring and sardines at the surface of the water.
Tactics to catch:Methods of fishing include pole and line, long-line fishing, trolling, and some purse seining.
Climate: (water temperature range) This fish is typically found in neritic waters, inshore over the continental shelf in turbid, brackish waters. Adult little tunny school according to size with other scombrid species at depths ranging from 3-490 feet (1-150m). However, during certain times of the year the schools break apart with individuals scattering throughout the habitat. Juveniles form compact schools offshore.
Spawning habits: Spawning occurs in April through November in the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean while in the Mediterranean Sea spawning takes place from late spring through summer. Little tunny spawn outside the continental shelf region in water of at least 77°F (25°C), where females release as many as 1,750,000 eggs in multiple batches. The males release sperm, fertilizing the eggs in the water column. These fertilized eggs are pelagic, spherical, and transparent, with a diameter of 0.8-1.1 mm. The yolk is rich in black pigment and the egg is a light amber color overall. There is a single droplet of oil within the egg, adding to its buoyancy. Larvae, approximately 3 mm in size, are released 24 hours after fertilization, with the yolk being completely absorbed within the first 48-66 hours of life. The eyes are un-pigmented at hatching, with pigmentation appearing 48 hours later. A small caudal spot is present. At sizes of 3.7-14mm, the teeth develop, the head becomes large, the snout long, and the fins develop. Juveniles from 14mm-174mm in length take on the adult appearance with the body becoming more fusiform and elongate.
Table food? The little tunny is commercially important in many locations including the West Indies. The flesh of the little tunny is darker and stronger tasting than that of the other large tunas. It is marketed fresh, dried, canned, smoked, and frozen. However, it is of the opinion of most Americans, "sorry False Albacore are fun to catch, but aren't the best table fare."
Consumption Concerns: There have been reports of ciguatera poisoning related to human consumption of this fish. Ciguatera is a form of human poisoning caused by the consumption of subtropical and tropical marine finfish which have accumulated naturally occurring toxins through their diet. The toxins are known to originate from several dinoflagellate (algae) species that are common to ciguatera endemic regions in the lower latitudes.
Feeding habits:Little tunny is an opportunistic predator, feeding on crustaceans, clupeid fishes, squids, and tunicates. It often feeds on herring and sardines at the surface of the water.
Natural predators:Other tunas, including conspecifics and yellowfin tuna (Thynnus albacares). Fishes such as dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus), wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus albicans), swordfish (Xiphias gladius), and various sharks as well as other large carnivorous fish all prey on the little tunny. Seabirds also prey on small little tunny.
Remarks: Not only does this fish of the Mackerel family have many common names but one of the common names is actually the name of another fish that looks similar. The proper common name for this species is False Albacore or Little Tunny. But if you ask fisherman along most of the Gulf Coast you will get a different answer. BONITO! Unfortunately this often causes great confusion with a similar fish, the Atlantic Bonito.
Check your current state for regulations and size limits.
References:
Cathleen Bester-florida museum of Natural History
Wikipedia
Flyfishermen.com
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