Sarda australis (Macleay, 1881)
Australian bonito
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos), subfamily: Scombrinae
Max. size:  180 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 9,400.0 g
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: southeastern Australia, Norfolk Island and New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 17-19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-18; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 14-17; Vertebrae: 45-46. Mouth moderately large. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Swim bladder absent. Laminae of olfactory rosette 21 to 39. Spleen large and prominent in lateral view. Liver with elongate left and right lobes and a short middle lobe. Body completely covered with very small scales posterior to the corselet. Dorsal stripe closer to being horizontal than in other species of Sarda and extending up to the belly in some specimens.
Biology:  Schooling by size and maturing from January through April. Flesh is light-colored of delicate flavor and good canning quality.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 November 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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