Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard thazard) fish species and information / pictures of Frigate tuna - Auxis thazard thazard

Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard thazard) fish species information

Scientific Name
Auxis thazard thazard

Common Name
Frigate tuna

Biology
Epipelagic in neritic and oceanic waters (Ref. 9340). Feeds on small fish, squids, planktonic crustaceans (megalops), and stomatopod larvae (Ref. 5213). Because of their abundance, they are considered an important element of the food web, particularly as forage for other species of commercial interest. Preyed upon by larger fishes, including other tunas (Ref. 9987). Marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 9340); also utilized dried or salted, smoked and canned (Ref. 9987).

Classification

Classified By
Lacep?de, 1800
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Mackerels, tunas, bonitos (Scombridae)

Distribution

Region
Atlantic, Indian and Pacific. Eastern Pacific population recognized as subspecies Auxis thazard brachydorax (Ref. 32349). Many authors have used the name Auxis thazard as including Auxis rochei in the belief that there was only a single worldwide species of Auxis. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139).
Distribution
Atlantic, Indian and Pacific. Eastern Pacific population recognized as subspecies Auxis thazard brachydorax (Ref. 32349). Many authors have used the name Auxis thazard as including Auxis rochei in the belief that there was only a single worldwide species of Auxis. Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139).
Range
61°N - 51°S, 180°W - 180°E

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
27 °C
Water Temperature To
28 °C
Depth From - meters
50 m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
pelagic-neritic
Environment
Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 50 - ? m (Ref. 9340)
Trophic Level
4.34 s.e. 0.68 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
65.0 cm
Common Length
60.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (26 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.8; tmax=5; Fec=200,000 to >1 million)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated