Sarda chiliensis (Cuvier 1832)

Mouth moderately large. Laminae of olfactory rosette 21 to 39. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Swim bladder absent. Spleen large and prominent in ventral view. Liver with elongate left and right lobes and a short middle lobe. Body completely covered with very small scales posterior to the corselet.

Caligus Infestation 1. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Caligus Infestation 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Pseudocycnus Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 1719; Analsoft rays: 12 - 15; Vertebrae: 42 - 46

Both juveniles and adults may be cannibalistic.

A coastal species that reaches sexual maturity at two years of age (Ref. 9340). Older individuals are encountered farther from the coast as compared to the juveniles (Ref. 9340). Spawning is discontinuous and a female of 3 kg may produce millions of eggs per season (Ref. 9340). Forms schools by size. Feeds on a variety of small schooling fishes, squids and shrimps. This species is important to the recreational hook and line fishery operating from private and party boats, piers and jetties, and from the shore. Also caught with encircling nets (Ref. 9340). Utilized fresh, canned and frozen; eaten broiled and baked (Ref. 9988).

fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: low; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species