
Also known as:
Bastard mackerel
Jack mackerel
Mongrel mackerel
Pike mackerel
Common Group Name:
Mackerels and Tunas
Family Name:
Scombridae
Genus Name:
Acanthocybium
Species Name:
Acanthocybium solandri
Dispatch Method:
Beware of the sharp teeth of wahoo when handling them, even after they are dead. The eating qualities of these fish can be 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. A firm knock on the head may be safer to implement to stun wahoo first before attempting iki jime.
Fish Description:
- Wahoo are iridescent blue-green dorsally, white below. They have silvery sides with numerous blue blue vertical bars extending below the lateral line, whch fade quickly after death.
- Wahoo are one of the fastest swimming fish, being able to reach speeds of at least 80 km/h.
- They are also one of the fastest growing of all fishes. They mature at around 90-100 cm long in their first 6 months of life and a 150 cm wahoo can be only 2 or 3 years old.
Fish Distribution:
- This species occurs worldwide offshore in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans, usually near coral reefs, islands and sea mounts.
- In Australia wahoo are found mainly in the northern areas of the country, but during the summer months occasional specimens may be encountered offshore as far south as South Australia, Victoria or Tasmania.
Fish Size Common Length:
75-150 cm (2.5-5 feet), maximum size 250 cm (8 feet 4 inches) and 85 kg (187 lb). World record 83.5 kg (184 lb) from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.