Overview
Very fast small tuna, often in schools, loves chasing anchovy and sardine schools.
Identification
Streamlined bodyStriped patternShort pectoral finsLarge mouth with sharp teethNo swim bladderBig eyesProminent dorsal spinesIntense blue coloration
- Body
- Long, streamlined body built for speed.
- Colouration
- Dark blue back with black stripes, silvery belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent or not very noticeable.
- Growth
- Fast, quickly reaches maturity.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Scombridae
- Order
- Scombriformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Scomber scombrusKatsuwonus pelamisThunnus albacaresScomberomorus commersonAuxis rochei
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- open_sea, pelagic
- Preferred bottom
- open_water
- Geographic distribution
- Tropical and temperate Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Black Sea.
- Micro-habitat
- Chases prey in open sea, rarely near shore.
Prefers warm and temperate waters, can chase prey to cooler regions based on seasons.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu ManicaPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Af Sudafrica AtlanticoPeak
Na Costa Est NordPeak
Na Costa Est CentroPeak
Na Costa Est SudPeak
Sa Brasile EstPeak
Sa Brasile SudPeak
Open Atlantico TropPeak
Open Atlantico TempPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- anchovies, sardines, mackerels
- Secondary prey
- mullets, garfish, jacks
- Occasional prey
- small crustaceans, squid
- Feeding behaviour
- Active, fast predator, hunts in schools mainly on the surface.
- Natural predators
- sharks, large tunas, swordfish
Diet based on the availability of small pelagic fish in open waters.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Engages in daily vertical and seasonal longitudinal migrations.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Approaches shore in spring and fall, more offshore in summer.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles form large schools near the coast.
- Adults
- Adults tend to move in smaller groups while hunting.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 65 and 165 feet
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, small size, transparent.
- Larval stage
- Planktonic larvae develop rapidly in schools.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-3 years
When to catch Atlantic bonito
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino, tarda mattina
Nightalba
This species shows peak fishing activity in summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active, hunts on surface.
Medium
Regular activity, follows schools.
High
Deeper, less visible on surface.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
13°COptimal zone: 17-26°C29°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
open seanear anchovy schoolsreefscoastal waters during migration
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
trollingspinningbottom fishingfloat fishing
Other applicable
Light JiggingSpinningShore JiggingTraina CostieraTrolling OceanicoPesca A Mosca In MareSpinning LeggeroSpinning MedioSpinning VeloceStreamerBeach FishingBolentinoBolentino MedioBolentino PesanteLive BaitingPoppingRock FishingSlow JiggingSpinning PesanteSurfcastingSurfcasting MedioSurfcasting NotturnoSurfcasting PesanteTraina Col VivoVertical Jigging
Recommended baits
live baitfishspinnersjigssoft plastics
Baits by pressure
Low
Cucchiaino ondulanteFeather jigMetal jig leggero (20-40g)Minnow affondantePiuma biancaPiuma colorataSabiki fluorescente
Medium
Acciuga vivaSardina vivaTrancio di sardinaCigar minnowEsca viva (generica)
High
Acciuga vivaCucchiaino ondulanteFeather jig
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Feisty and fast, alternates strong runs with quick dives.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid injury from teeth and to preserve protective slime.
- Release
- Release quickly to ensure survival, handling the fish as little as possible.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA world record all-tackle for the 'palamita' is 11 lbs (5.2 kg), caught off Porto Corallo, Sardinia in 2016. The largest catches in the Mediterranean exceed 9 lbs, making it a sought-after sportfish.
- In the kitchen
- Enjoyed grilled or smoked, particularly in Mediterranean regional dishes.
- Cultural notes
- Often mentioned in maritime literature as an example of a fast and feisty species.
- Historical notes
- Known since ancient times, the 'palamita' has been a food resource for Mediterranean coastal communities.
