(Image credit: Rick Stuart-Smith, Reef Life Survey)

"The dorsal surface is a vivid blue or black with a faint yellow line separating a silver body and underside. A distinctive wavy lateral line is visible along the rear half of the body. Two dorsal fins are apparent and the tail is forked with finlets extending forward to the anal and second dorsal fin. A large mouth containing pointed cone shaped teeth is also usually visible as the species regularly swims with its mouth ajar.

Can be found as solitary individuals or in very small schools of less than 10 individuals.

The common name, Dogtooth tuna, is deceptive as this fish is actually a member of the Bonito tribe (Sardini). Bonito possess noticeable teeth and lack the ridges on the tongue that are found in tunas.

Length: Up to 1.8 m

Habitat

Reef edges and dropoffs facing oceanward; 10-100 m depth

Log it

In New South Wales, log if spotted in Solitary Islands and south

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Find further information and images at FISHES OF AUSTRALIA http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/