Atlantic green bonito and False Albacore

Colloquial Nicknames: bonito, greenies, little tunny Scientific name: bonito: Sarda sarda `albacore: Euthymnus alletteratus

Field Markings: Bonito is green to steely-blue on the Size: Both range from 4-12 pounds back with distinctive dark horizontal bars on the sides Habitat: Open ocean and coastline False albacore is silver and green with a criss-cross Seasonal Appearance: July through October pattern above the lateral line.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES False albacore have smaller teeth and feed opportunistically AND BEHAVIORS on fish, squid, crustaceans and tunicates. Nicknamed “Atlantic speedsters” for their impressive strength and speed, both the bonito RELATIONSHIP TO PEOPLE and false albacore are favorite game Both the bonito and false fish species. They resemble albacore are edible, but oily and miniature tuna and are related as strong-tasting. The bonito is members of the mackerel family. considered the better meal of the Both species travel in large two. schools, creating frenzied splashes Neither the bonito nor the false as they blitz small baitfish such as albacore support a dedicated juvenile menhaden and silversides. commercial fishery in Narragansett The bonito is silver underneath Bay, and neither stock is considered and green to steely-blue on its back to be overfished. Their numbers with distinctive dark horizontal bars seem to vary from year to year, but on the sides. The false albacore is False albacore both seem to be reasonably stable. also silver and green with a more mackerellike, criss-cross pattern above the lateral line. Both commonly range from four to twelve pounds, with some reaching HOW TO GET YOUR OWN COPY 20 pounds, but fish this large are rare. RISAA members can purchase their own copy of The With a single row of long sharp teeth, bonito adults can be Uncommon Guide To Common Life on Narragansett Bay cannibalistic, although they also eat smaller schooling fish, squid for $15 from the RISAA Merchandise Committee. Stop by the committee table at any monthly RISAA meeting. and shrimp.

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