Black skipjack tuna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black skipjack tuna |
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| Euthynnus lineatus | |
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The black skipjack tuna (scientific name: Euthynnus lineatus) is a type of fish that lives in the ocean. It is part of the tuna family, called Scombridae. These fish are known for being fast swimmers. They are found in warm waters around the world.
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What Does It Look Like?
The black skipjack tuna has a unique look. It has two fins on its back called dorsal fins. The front dorsal fin has 10 to 15 stiff spines. The spines at the front of this fin are much taller than the ones in the middle. This makes the fin look curved inward, like a scoop.
Underneath its body, it has another fin called the anal fin. This fin has 11 to 12 soft rays. The fish also has 37 bones in its spine, called vertebrae.
Skin and Markings
Most of the black skipjack's body does not have scales. Only a small area near its head, called a "corselet," and its lateral line have scales. The lateral line is a special line along its side that helps it sense movement in the water.
This fish does not have a swim bladder. A swim bladder is usually a gas-filled organ that helps fish float. Since the black skipjack doesn't have one, it must keep swimming to avoid sinking!
Its body is usually shiny blue. It has three to five black stripes along its back. You might also see some black or dark grey spots above its belly fins, called pelvic fins. Some black skipjacks have light grey stripes on their belly, while others have very few or none.
Where Does It Live?
The black skipjack tuna lives in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. You can find them from San Simeon, California, all the way down to northern Peru. They also live around the Galápagos Islands.
Its Life and Habits
The black skipjack tuna is a fish that lives in the open ocean. It is also an oceanodromous species. This means it travels long distances in the ocean.
Water Temperature and Location
These fish prefer warm water. You will rarely find them where the surface temperature is below 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit). Baby black skipjacks, called larvae, are usually found in even warmer waters, above 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit).
They typically stay in surface waters. They usually do not go farther than 386 kilometers (240 miles) from land.
What Does It Eat?
Black skipjack tuna are opportunistic predators. This means they will eat whatever food is available. They share their eating habits with other types of tuna. They also compete for food with dolphins and other large fish that hunt.
Schooling Behavior
Black skipjack tuna often swim together in groups. These groups can be made up of different types of fish. They sometimes form schools with yellowfin tuna and skipjack tuna.
Reproduction
Black skipjack tuna reproduce over a wide area and at different times of the year. In the eastern tropical Pacific, they lay their eggs in many places. This includes both coastal waters near land and deeper waters far out in the ocean.
