Overview
Aggressive pack hunter, famous for explosive attacks.
Identification
Sharp teethShort pectoral finsTwo dorsal finsDeeply forked tailFleshy lipsLarge eyesWell-defined lateral lineSturdy anal fins
- Body
- Streamlined, laterally compressed body with a rather large head.
- Colouration
- Blue-green on the back, gradually lighter on the sides, and white on the belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/Hardly noticeable
- Growth
- Rapid, especially in the early years.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Pomatomidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Sphyraena barracudaScomberomorus cavallaCaranx crysosKatsuwonus pelamisCoryphaena hippurus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea
- Preferred bottom
- sand, rock
- Geographic distribution
- Found in all temperate and subtropical oceans, widely distributed along the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean coasts.
- Micro-habitat
- Prefers coastal waters when hunting, often near schools of fish.
Loves to move along currents that quickly bring new prey.
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 Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Af Sudafrica AtlanticoPeak
Af Sudafrica IndianoPeak
Na Costa Est NordPeak
Na Costa Est CentroPeak
Na Costa Est SudPeak
Na Golfo MessicoPeak
Na CaraibiPeak
Sa Brasile EstPeak
Sa Brasile SudPeak
As Mar Cinese EstPeak
As Giappone SudPeak
Au Gbr SudPeak
Au Costa Est TemperataPeak
Open Atlantico TropPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- small fish, mullet, anchovies
- Secondary prey
- crustaceans, squid, cuttlefish
- Occasional prey
- jellyfish, octopuses
- Feeding behaviour
- Aggressive predator hunting in groups, attacking swiftly with power and precision.
- Natural predators
- sharks, tuna, dolphins
Prefers daytime for hunting in coordinated schools.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- high
- Migration
- Undertakes seasonal migrations depending on water temperature and food availability.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Moves closer to shore during summer months to feed and reproduce, moving to deeper waters in colder months.
- Juveniles
- Form small groups and tend to stay in shallower, protected waters.
- Adults
- Travel in large schools to hunt, exhibiting highly coordinated behavior.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, small and spherical, carried by currents.
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larvae quickly develop into juvenile fish.
- Sexual maturity
- varies between 2 to 4 years
When to catch Bluefish / Tailor
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, tramonto
Nightnotte
This species shows peak fishing activity in summer, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in autumn and winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very aggressive, attacks anything that moves.
Medium
Moderate activity, attacks isolated prey.
High
Moves away from shore, less active.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
16°COptimal zone: 20-27°C30°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
sandy beachesrocky shoresportsareas with currents
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
surfcastingspinningdriftingtrolling
Other applicable
SpinningShore JiggingTraina CostieraPesca A Mosca In MareSpinning MedioSpinning PesanteStreamerBeach FishingLive BaitingPoppingRock FishingSlow JiggingSpinning VeloceSurfcastingSurfcasting MedioSurfcasting NotturnoSurfcasting PesanteTraina Col VivoTrolling OceanicoVertical Jigging
Recommended baits
sardinesmulletslive baitlures
Baits by pressure
Low
Cucchiaino ondulanteJerkbaitMetal jig leggero (20-40g)Metal jig medio (40-100g)Minnow affondantePopper medioPopper piccolo
Medium
Sardina vivaTrancio di sardinaAcciuga vivaEsca viva (generica)Gambero vivoPezzo di pesceSgombro vivo
High
Cucchiaino ondulanteJerkbaitMetal jig leggero (20-40g)
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Energetic and acrobatic fighter, known for jumps and sudden changes of direction.
- Handling
- Use gloves to avoid cuts from teeth and fins.
- Release
- Handle carefully to minimize stress and release back into water as soon as possible.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- A well-traveled species, the IGFA all-tackle record stands at 14.40 kg, caught in Namibia. In Italy, specimens over 10 kg are caught, making it a prized catch in sport fishing.
- In the kitchen
- Flavorful meat suitable for grilling and stews, often used in fish soups.
- Cultural notes
- Renowned among sport-fishers for its voraciousness and aggressive tags.
- Historical notes
- Famously described by ancient Mediterranean fishermen for its voracity.
