Acanthocybium solandri (Cuvier, 1831)

English Name: Wahoo
Family: SCOMBRIDAE
Local Name: Kunumas
Order: Perciformes
Size: Common to 1.3 m; max. 2.1 m
Specimen: MRS/P033l/88

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Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 23-27 spines, second dorsal fin with 12-16 rays followed by 8 or 9 finlets. Anal fin with 12-14 rays followed by 9 finlets. Teeth triangular, compressed and finely serrate. Snout about as long as rest of head. Gill rakers undeveloped

Colour: Back iridescent bluish green. Numerous dark vertical bars on sides.

Habitat and Biology: Epipelagic; oceanic. Common on outer atoll reefs. Solitary or forming loose aggregations rather than compact schools. Feeds on pelagic fishes and cephalopods.

Distribution: Circumtropical.

Remarks: Acanthocybium solandri is caught by trolling and also by a specialised fishing technique called ‘heymas he/un’. This is carried out from small rowing boats and involves skipping a wooden model fish across the sea surface to lure the wahoo up within harpoon range. Wahoo are usually caught outside the atoll a bit beyond the point at which the reef disappears from sight.