
Also known as:
Pilot
Ductor
Romerio
Common Group Name:
Trevallies
Family Name:
Carangidae
Genus Name:
Naucrates
Species Name:
Naucrates ductor
Dispatch Method:
The eating qualities of these fish are greatly improved if they are killed immediately by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.
Fish Description:
- Pilotfish are a torpedo shaped trevally with a dark to pale blue body with 6-7 broad, dark vertical bars. There are white tips on the lobes of the tail and on the second dorsal and anal fins.
Fish Distribution:
- Pilotfish are found worldwide in all tropical and temperate seas, including the Mediterranean Sea.
- Adults are often found in inshore waters swimming alongside or in front of larger predatory fishes. They feed on scraps of the predators prey.
- Juveniles are often encountered swimming under floating items such as seaweed or jellyfish.
Fish Size Common Length:
Common between 25 and 40 cm (10-16 inches), maximum size around 70 cm (28 inches).