Scombridae

Scombridae is a family of fish. It includes mackerel, tuna and bonito. The family includes many of the most important and well known fish that people eat. The family has 51 species in 15 genera and two subfamilies. The subfamily Scombrinae contains all the fish in the family except the butterfly kingfish. It is the only member of the subfamily Gasterochismatinae.

Scombrids have two dorsal fins and many finlets behind the rear dorsal fin and anal fin. The caudal fin is divided and rigid. It has a thin, ridged base. The lengths of the fish in this family vary. The island mackerel is the smallest at . The largest recorded length is  for an Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Scombrids are usually predators. They are found in tropical and temperate waters. The fish can move very quickly. Some members of the family are partially endothermic (warm-blooded). This helps them to maintain high speed and activity. Other adaptations include a large amount of red muscle. It lets them to maintain activity over long periods of time. Scombrids like the yellowfin tuna can move as fast as 22 km/hr (14 mph).

 Classification 

 Family Scombridae

 Subfamily Gasterochismatinae
 Genus Gasterochisma
 Subfamily Scombrinae
 Tribe Scombrini – mackerels
 Genus Rastrelliger
 Genus Scomber
 Tribe Scomberomorini – Spanish mackerels
 Genus Acanthocybium
 Genus Grammatorcynus
 Genus Orcynopsis
 Genus Scomberomorus
 Tribe Sardini – bonitos
 Genus Sarda
 Genus Cybiosarda
 Genus Gymnosarda
 Tribe Thunnini – tunas
 Genus Allothunnus
 Genus Auxis
 Genus Euthynnus
 Genus Katsuwonus
 Genus Thunnus

Category:Scombriformes

References