Family Scombridae

Mackerels and Tunas

Selected Characters: Two dorsal fins; finlets following dorsal and anal fins; snout pointed.

This is a family of fast-swimming, wide-ranging pelagic fishes. They have a number of special adaptations for this lifestyle, including a streamlined body form and recessible dorsal and anal fins. Some species are partly endothermic, maintaining a higher body temperature in the swimming muscles. Scombrids often swim in schools and prey on other fishes. Many species are very important as sport fishes and in commercial harvest. This family includes 49 species; two occur in Puget Sound. The Pacific Bonito reaches lengths of about 100 cm, while the Pacific Mackerel grows to about half that size. Both species usually school near shore. Both are uncommon in Puget Sound.

Puget Sound Species

Sarda chiliensis Pacific Bonito

Scomber japonicus Pacific Mackerel