atlantic bonito

Scientific name Sarda sarda
Descriptor Bloch
Year of description 1793
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Scombridae
Genus Sarda
Sarda sarda Sarda sarda

Introduction

Sarda sarda, commonly known as the Atlantic bonito, is a pelagic marine fish found throughout the Atlantic Ocean, Black Sea, and Mediterranean Sea.

This species, closely related to tuna, is classified as least concern by the IUCN. However, due to its high commercial value, it is the target of significant industrial fishing. The wide distribution of the species currently allows for its sustainability.

 

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    50 cm
  • Maximum size
    91.4 cm
  • Longevity
    5 year
  • Pattern
    diagonal stripes
  • Average size
    50 cm
  • Maximum size
    91.4 cm
  • Longevity
    5 year
  • Pattern
    diagonal stripes

How to recognize the atlantic bonito ?

This species has a streamlined silvery body. The back is striped with diagonal dark blue to black lines. The hydrodynamic body is designed for fast swimming.

The mouth is large and powerful, with high gill slits on the head. The dorsal fins are close together and positioned far back, slightly in front of the anal fin. The pelvic fins are small and start just after the gills. The caudal fin is forked.

Sexual dimorphism

There is no apparent dimorphism in this species.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    living in shoals
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The Atlantic bonito is a fish that lives in schools of varying sizes and inhabits the epipelagic zone. It is not uncommon to see this species near the coast.

This lively pelagic predator is designed for hunting fish in open water. 

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond en eau libre

The Atlantic bonito is a gonochoristic, oviparous fish that spawns in open water during the seasonal warming of the water, usually between June and September. Bonito schools migrate from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea to reproduce.

Sexual maturity is reached at a size of around 38 cm. The female will lay between 400,000 and 500,000 eggs in open water. The males will then release their sperm to fertilize the eggs, which are carried into deeper waters by the currents.

Harmless species

This species does not pose a particular danger to humans if encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

Geographic distribution & Conservation

The Atlantic bonito has a wide geographical presence throughout the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea.

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    12 - 27 °C
  • Depth
    1 - 200 m
  • Environment
    Active pelagic

Biotope presentation

Atlantic bonito are most commonly found at depths less than 200 m in open water. However, it is not impossible to find this fish at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Adrien Falzon

Adrien Falzon

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Bibliographic references

Seasonal distribution and spawning of small tunas (Auxis rochei and Sarda sarda) in the Northwestern Mediterranean - CSIC - 2001.

Feeding habits of the Atlantic bonito, Sarda sarda (Bloch, 1793) in the southern Tyrrhenian sea - D.Campo - E.Mostarda - M.P.Scarabello - F.Andaloro - Elsevier Ltd - 2006.

Interact with Fishipedia

To get in touch with our team or participate in our project.

Template and content © Fishipedia - Unauthorized reproduction without prior request - ISSN 2270-7247 - Last modification 12/11/2023
  • {{name}}

    {{#street_number}}{{street_number}}, {{/street_number}}{{#route}}{{route}}{{/route}}
    {{postal_code}} {{town}}

    {{#phone}}{{phone}}{{/phone}}{{^phone}}-{{/phone}}
  • En poursuivant votre navigation sur ce site, vous acceptez nos CGV et l’utilisation de cookies pour vous proposer des contenus et services adaptés à vos centres d’intérêts et vous permettre l'utilisation de boutons de partages sociaux.