Frigate tuna
Auxis thazard
Fun Fact: So-called through their association with feeding frigate birds.
Introduction: Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard) favour surface waters of the open ocean. Larger fish are major predators. Auxis means 'to spring and thazard is a corruption of the French word Tassard, a common name for mackerel-like fish. Frigate tuna are so-called because of their association with feeding frigate birds. They are a popular eating fish.
Distribution: Throughout Namibian waters and oceans.
Diet: Smaller shoaling fish such as anchovies. Also takes squid, crab larvae and mantis shrimps.
Colouration: Overall silver-green body colour, blue above and white below. There are 15 bar marks forming a distinctive pattern on the scaleless area of the back.
Breeding: Male and females over 30cm are sexually mature
Max size: 50cm.
Max weight: 1.9kg
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