Wahoo

Species Description for Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri): Common Names: Wahoo, Ono (in Hawaiian), Peto (in some Spanish-speaking regions) Family: Scombridae (Mackerels and Tunas) Identification: Body Shape: Elongated and slender, torpedo-shaped body designed for high-speed bursts. Size: Commonly 3.3 to 5.3 feet (1 to 1.6 meters) in length; can grow up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) and weigh up to 158 pounds (72 kg). Coloration: Striking iridescent blue back with a silvery belly. Notable for a series of 24 to 30 cobalt-blue vertical bars running along the sides of its body. Mouth and Teeth: Large mouth with sharp, triangular teeth. Habitat: Wahoo are found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide. They prefer offshore waters, often associated with floating debris, weed lines, or other structures that concentrate baitfish. Behavior: Known for their speed and agility, wahoo are solitary hunters but may sometimes be found in small, loose groups. Predatory, feeding on a variety of pelagic fish and squid. Capable of sudden bursts of speed, making them prized game fish for sports anglers. Reproduction: Wahoo are believed to spawn year-round in warmer waters, with peaks that vary by region. They are pelagic spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the open water where fertilization occurs. Fishing Tips: Often targeted by trolling with lures or live bait at or near the surface. Known to strike a variety of baits and lures, including skirted lures, deep-diving plugs, and live baitfish. Culinary Value: Highly valued for its firm, white, and flaky meat with a mild flavor, popular in both raw and cooked preparations. Conservation Status: Not considered to be overly abundant, but not currently listed as endangered or vulnerable. However, due to their popularity as a game fish, they are subject to fishing pressures, and catch rates may vary from year to year. Distribution: Wahoo have a circumtropical distribution, inhabiting the warmer waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas. This high-speed predator is a favorite among sport fishers for its fighting ability and is equally appreciated on the dinner table for its high-quality flesh.