Bicolar Chub

Average Weight/Length

Max length : 41.0 cm TL male/unsexed

Family, Genus, Class & Etymology

Family    Scombridae
Description    Mackerels, tunas, bonitos
Environment    Brackish & Marine
Etymology    Latin, scomber = mackerel.
Genus    15
No. of Species    54
Order    Perciformes
Class    Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild    Nonguarders
Distribution    Tropical and subtropical seas. Body elongate and fusiform, moderately compressed in some genera. Snout pointed, premaxilla beaklike, free from nasal bones which are separated by the ethmoid bone; mouth large; teeth in jaws strong, moderate, or weak; no true canines; palate and tongue may bear teeth. The 2 dorsal fins separate and depressible into grooves with 5-12 finlets behind second dorsal and anal fins; first dorsal fin with 9-27 rays, origin well behind the head. Pectoral fins high on body. Pelvic fins moderate or small with 6 fin rays, placed below the pectoral fins. Caudal fin deeply forked with supporting caudal rays completely covering hypural plate. At least 2 small keels on each side of caudal fin base, a larger keel in between on caudal peduncle in more advanced species. Lateral line simple. Vertebrae 31-66. Body covered with small to moderate scales or a scaly corselet developed (area behind head and around pectoral fins covered with large thick scales) and rest of body naked or covered with tiny scales. Gill membranes not united to isthmus. Thunnus and close relatives with a specialized vascular system for heat exchange; the evolution of this and related adaptations for endothermy are discussed in Block et al. 1993 (Ref. 11221). Primarily swift, epipelagic predators; some species occur in coastal waters, others far from shore. Mackerels (Scomber and Rastrelliger) filter plankton with their long gill rakers. Spanish mackerels, bonitos and tunas feed on larger prey, including small fishes, crustaceans and squids. The main predators of smaller scombrids are other predacious fishes, particularly large tunas and billfises. Dioecious and most display little or no sexual dimorphism in structure or color pattern. Females of many species attain larger sizes than maels. Batch spawning of most species takes place in tropical and subtropical waters, frequently inshore. Eggs are pelagic and hatch into planktonic larvae. Among the most important of commercial and sport fishes. [Thunninae=ISSCAAP 36; Scombrinae=ISSCAAP 37]. Also Ref. 50681. According to the recent phylogenies (Ref. 58009), two subfamilies can be recognized: - Gasterochismatinae with one species Gasterochisma melampus. - Scombrinae: divided currently in four tribes (Ref. 58010), only Scombrini are supported by molecular data; more research is needed for Scomberomorini, Sardini, and Thunnini.

Other "Popular" Names for this Fish

Hawaiian Chub

Location Habitat

Benthopelagic in shallow water, in the surge zone near coral and rocky reefs

Biology & Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11; Vertebrae: 26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body oval, deep and well compressed; mouth terminal, slightly oblique ventrally and the anterior tip o upper jaw bluntly pointed; incisiform teeth; scales on interorbital region; caudal fin emarginate, shallow; D XI,12; A III,11, anterior part of anal-fin soft-rayed portion well elevated; the longest anal-fin soft ray (second) longer than the longest dorsal-fin spine (sixth); gill rakers on lower limb of first arch on the external side 5-6 upper limb, 13-16 lower limb; pectoral fin long and broad, with 18-19 (mode 18) soft rays; pelvic fin when depressed almost reaching the anus (19.3-20.8%SL); total lateral line with 67-78 scale rows, pored scales 54-63; longitudinal row with 64-68 scale rows; vertebrae: precaudal 10, caudal 16; pterygiophores: dorsal 21 and anal 12

Sport Fishing Techniques

Drifting

Drift fishing allows you to fish over a variety of habitats as your boat drifts with the currents or wind movement. You can drift fish on the bottom or change the depth with a bobber or float. Natural baits work best. But jigs, lures and artificial flies will produce good results, too. You can drift fish on the ocean, as well as ponds, lakes, rivers and streams any time of the day and year..


Still Fishing

The simplest of fishing methods can also be the most effective. Still-fishing is a matter of putting your bait in the water and waiting for a fish to find it. Depending on water depth and what you’re trying to catch, you may want to still-fish near the surface, at a mid-water depth, or right down on the bottom. Using a float, or bobber, makes it easy to fish near the surface, or you can add sinkers to your line to fish deeper. Still fishing is a versatile way to go. You can do it from a pier, a bridge, an anchored boat or from shore. You can still fish on the bottom or off the bottom in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams for a variety of species. And you can still fish during most seasons and during any part of the day. You have to be very patient. You need to wait for the fish to bite. Still fishing is a versatile way to go. You can do it from a pier, a bridge, an anchored boat or from shore. You can still fish on the bottom in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams for a variety of species. .