Family Scombridae

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Family Scombridae

• Mackerels and Tunas
• Common species
• King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)
• Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus)
• Little Tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus)
• Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

Yellowfin Tuna
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Scombridae Characteristics

• Constitute lt 10 of the worlds total catch by
  weight

• Top carnivores of the epipelagic zone in both
  tropical and subtropical seas
• Capture through high speed swimming (Thunniform
  swimming)

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Thunniform Swimming
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Heat Exchangers

• Typical ectothermic fish
• From the heart, blood enters the gills where it
  becomes the same temp. as the surrounding water
• Passes to the core of the body cooling the core
  temperature of the fish

• Endothermic
• Swimming muscles are close to the body core and
  heat exchangers (rete mirabile)conserve generated
  heat

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King Spanish Mackerel
King Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
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Little Tunny

• Fast growing species
• 1 year 14
• 4 years 30

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Bluefin Tuna

• Undergo extensive migrations for feeding and
  reproduction
• Speculation on the two stock theory in the
  Atlantic and Mediterranean

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Family Scorpaenidae

• Scorpionfishes Rockfishes
• Common species
• Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri)
• Spinycheek Scorpionfish (Neomerinthe hemingwayi)

Spotted Scorpionfish
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Scorpaenid Characteristics

• Most spp. are similar in appearance
• Large head, mouth, eyes, and pectoral fins

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Scorpaenid Venom
The neurotoxin can be injected by means of venom
glands at the base of hypodermic needle-like
spines

• Most spp. possess toxic spines in dorsal, anal,
  and pelvic fins

Some spp. aggressively angle spines towards humans
Stonefish have deadly venom
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Scorpaenidae Spines
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Venomous Scorpaenids
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Rockfish Ocean Perch

• Pacific coast species
• Commercially viable but slow growth rate makes
  them overexploited
• Most spp. average 25-50 years old and can reach
  140 years