Family Scomberesocidae

Sauries

Selected Characters: Body elongate; snout pointed; dorsal and anal fins far back; pelvics abdominal; five to seven finlets after dorsal and anal fins; lateral line near ventral surface of body; scales cycloid.

This is a small family of epipelagic fishes consisting of two temperate species and two smaller tropical species. The Pacific Saury is the only species found in our region. It grows to about 36 cm long. This fish usually swims in schools and is often encountered near the surface, but may be found at considerable depths. Pacific Saury feed mostly on fish larvae and eggs, and they are preyed upon in turn by fishes, marine mammals, and birds. This fish is not common in Puget Sound.

Puget Sound Species

Cololabis saira Pacific Saury