Marine Life

Kawakawa

Latti

Euthynnus affinis

Euthynnus affinis is commonly caught in the Maldives by trolling, unlike the other major tuna species which are more oceanic and closely associated with the atolls. The name "Kawakawa" is also known as "little tuna", however, this name can be confused with "small tuna" and should be avoided.

Details

§ 01

size: Common to 55 cm; max. about 1 m
color: Bluish black dorsally, silvery white ventrally. Many dark bands above lateral line. One or more small black spots between pelvic and pectoral fin (may not always be very conspicuous).
order: Perciformes
family: Scombridae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/euthynnus-affinis.png
habitat and biology: Species living in the epipelagic and neritic zones, with water temperatures between 180 C and 290 C, tend to form schools. They feed on small pelagic fishes, planktonic crabs, shrimps, and stomatopod larvae.
distinctive characters: The body is naked except for a corselet and lateral line, and it has two dorsal fins separated by a narrow interspace. The first dorsal fin has 11-14 spines, with the anterior spines being much higher than those midway, giving the fins a strongly concave outline. The second dorsal fin is much lower than the first and is followed by 8-10 finlets. Additionally, the pectoral fins are short and there are two flaps between the pelvic fins.