FISHES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 
207 
The bonito, although a good food fish, is not generally regarded as highly as the common and 
the Spanish mackerels. However, it is more esteemed in the lower Chesapeake than in many other 
localities. The small catch is marketed locally and brings a good price, selling at retail (in 1921 
and 1922) for 25 to 40 cents a pound. This species is known in the Norfolk markets as “Boston 
mackerel,” a name generally given to the common mackerel, Scomber scombrus. Rachycentron 
canadus is known as bonito or black bonito in the lower Chesapeake. This fish is very different 
and must not be confused with Sarda sarda. 
The bonito is said to reach a weight of 12 pounds along the Atlantic coast; the usual size of 
the fish from the Chesapeake, however, is only about 2 to 4 pounds. 
Habitat. — -Atlantic Ocean, on both coasts; common in the Mediterranean and on the coast of 
the United States from Cape Ann southward to Florida; rarely northward to Maine; no definite 
West Indian, Central, or South American records. 
Chesapeake localities. — (<z) Previous records: Entrance of Chesapeake Bay; Norfolk fish mar- 
ket. (6) Specimens in collection: None. Observed at Lynnhaven Roads and Ocean View, Va. 
80. Genus THUNNUS South. Great tunnies or albacores 
Body robust; mouth large; teeth in the jaws small, conical, in a single series; vomer and pala- 
tines with bands of villiform teeth; scales small, corselet well developed; dorsal fins close together, 
the first with 12 to 15 spines; dorsal and anal finlets about 9. 
106. Thunnus thynnus (Linnseus). Tuna; Horse mackerel; Tunny; Albacore. 
Scomber thynnus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed. X, 1758, p. 297; Europe. 
Thunnus thynnus Jordan and Evermann, 1896-1900, p. 870. 
“Head 3%; depth 4. D. XIV-I, 13-IX; A. I, 12- VIII. Body oblong, very robust; corselet 
well developed, extending farther back than pectorals; caudal keel extending forward to second 
finlet from caudal. Mouth rather large; maxillary reaching pupil; posterior margin of preopercle 
somewhat shorter than inferior. Eye small. Dorsal and anal falcate, short, 2 in height of first 
dorsal; ventrals longer than anal; caudal very widely forked; pectorals short, reaching to about 
ninth dorsal spine. Dark blue above; below grayish, with silvery spots.” (Jordan and Ever- 
mann, 1896-1900.) 
This species was not seen during the present investigation. However, we find mention of 
‘‘one horse mackerel” among the records of the Buchanan Brothers’ pound-net fishery for August, 
1909. We have only this record of the occurrence of this species in Chesapeake Bay. 
The horse mackerel is generally readily recognized by its large size, and the presence of teeth 
on the vomer separate it from all the other mackerels of Chesapeake Bay. 
Little is known of the life history of this large pelagic fish, which inhabits all warm seas. It 
feeds mainly on smaller fish, probably chiefly on other pelagic species, such as the menhaden, herring, 
and mackerels. Its eggs and fry are unknown. Even moderately small individuals seldom are 
taken along the Atlantic coast. 
The horse mackerel, formerly considered of no value as a food fish, has gained rapidly in favor 
during recent years. In California and in the Mediterranean it is highly prized, and it now has 
some sale value on the Atlantic coast of America. It is also regarded with considerable favor by 
sport fishermen. 
This fish is reported to attain a length of 14 feet or more and a weight of 1,600 pounds, whereas 
fish of 1,000 pounds are said to be not uncommon; the usual weight is from 100 to 400 pounds. 
Habitat. — "Warm parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; Mediterranean Sea. 
Chesapeake localities.— (a) Previous records: None. ( b ) Specimens in collection: None. The 
species is here included because of a mention found in a record of fishes caught at the Buchanan 
Brothers’ fishery located in Lynnhaven Roads, Va., who list “one horse mackerel” in their record 
of catches for August, 1909. 
