Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri)
Family Scombridae
Description: color dark greenish or steel-blue shading to paler silver; fins dark;long slender body; snout is long and tubular, and the teeth are strong and flattened laterally. There are 21-27 spines in the dorsal fin, its sides are usually marked with narrow vertical bars. Angular lateral line along side of fish.
Similar fish: Spanishmackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) and king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla).
Where found: around the world in tropical and subtropical seas. Unlike most other mackerel-like fishes, they do not ordinarily occur in schools.Usually caught by trolling.
Size: common 15-50 pounds; largest known caught off Freeport, Grand Bahamas, 6 feet 9 inches long and weighing 180 pounds.
Remarks: excellent game fish. Termed the fastest fish that swims. The first sizzling run of this powerful speedster defies all-star drag reels or human exertion. Food consists of smaller fish and squids. May spawn over an extended period of time, and a single female may shed several million eggs. The flesh is white and very tasty.
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Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Marine Resources, Office of Fisheries Management and Assistance ServicesRevised - 12/14/02 04:19 PM