| |
| Common
Names: |
Bonita,
Boneheads, Bonies, Laguna tuna. |
| Identifying
Characteristics: |
Has
long sharp teeth distinguishing it from other tunas
and mackeral. Brilliantly colored: blues, greens,
silvers. Close observations can find iridescent purples
and yellows. Wavy black lines from roughly from head
to tail on top half of fish. When feeding or fresh
caught, heavy black bars develop on sides vertically,
typically disappear shortly after landing.
|
| Range
and Locations: |
Northern
range from Alaska to Southern Baja. Southern group
ranges off Peru and Chile. Temperate subtropical species.
It is surprising absent between these two northern
and southern ranges.
|
| Stats: |
Max.
40 inches length. Oldest fish: aprox 6 years. A one
year old fish is typically 20 inches. 3 year old fish
25 inches. Fast growing, short lived species.
|
| Market
Forms: |
Japanese markets very popular as Handashi. Dried
and shaved and also dried and ground. Used in and
for enhancement of soups and stocks. Fresh-fish
flesh is very good to excellent. Properly cooled
immediately upon capture and blood line removed,
flesh cooks up white, flaky and with mild flavors.
Undeserving of 'trash fish' status for the table
fare. Bad reputation most likely from poor handling
and poor culinary talent.
|
| Closing
Remarks: |
One
of the most beautiful fish in the seas and pound
for pound the toughest fighting on apropriate sized
rod, reel and line combos.
|
