Frigate tuna

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