Scombridae

Scombridae is a family of fish. It includes mackerel, tuna and bonito. The family includes many of the most important and well known fish that people eat. The family has 51 species in 15 genera and two subfamilies. The subfamily Scombrinae contains all the fish in the family except the butterfly kingfish. It is the only member of the subfamily Gasterochismatinae.^[1]

Scombridae
Yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Scombriformes
Suborder:	Scombroidei
Family:	Scombridae Rafinesque, 1815
Subfamilies
Gasterochismatinae Scombrinae

Scombrids have two dorsal fins and many finlets behind the rear dorsal fin and anal fin. The caudal fin is divided and rigid. It has a thin, ridged base. The lengths of the fish in this family vary. The island mackerel is the smallest at 20 cm (7.9 in). The largest recorded length is 4.58 m (15.0 ft) for an Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Scombrids are usually predators. They are found in tropical and temperate waters. The fish can move very quickly. Some members of the family are partially endothermic (warm-blooded). This helps them to maintain high speed and activity. Other adaptations include a large amount of red muscle. It lets them to maintain activity over long periods of time. Scombrids like the yellowfin tuna can move as fast as 22 km/hr (14 mph).^[2]

Classification

Family Scombridae

• Subfamily Gasterochismatinae
  • Genus Gasterochisma
• Subfamily Scombrinae
  • Tribe Scombrini – mackerels
    • Genus Rastrelliger
    • Genus Scomber
  • Tribe Scomberomorini – Spanish mackerels
    • Genus Acanthocybium
    • Genus Grammatorcynus
    • Genus Orcynopsis
    • Genus Scomberomorus
  • Tribe Sardini – bonitos
    • Genus Sarda
    • Genus Cybiosarda
    • Genus Gymnosarda
  • Tribe Thunnini – tunas
    • Genus Allothunnus
    • Genus Auxis
    • Genus Euthynnus
    • Genus Katsuwonus
    • Genus Thunnus