How to Identify Kawakawa

To identify Kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

torpedo

Coloration

Dorsal side is dark metallic blue to black, fading to silvery white on the belly. The most distinctive feature is a complex pattern of dark, wavy, oblique stripes or 'worm-like' markings on the back above the lateral line, extending from the first dorsal fin to the caudal peduncle. Below the pectoral fin, there are typically 3-7 prominent dark spots, arranged horizontally.

Scale type

none

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Robust, fusiform body, slightly compressed laterally., Two dorsal fins, widely separated. The first dorsal fin has 10-15 spines, and the second dorsal fin has 11-15 soft rays, followed by 8-10 finlets., Anal fin has 11-15 soft rays, followed by 6-8 finlets., Pectoral fins are short, not reaching the interspace between the dorsal fins., Pelvic fins are small., Caudal fin is deeply forked with a slender caudal peduncle featuring a prominent central keel and two smaller keels on either side., Small, conical teeth in a single row in both jaws., Body largely scaleless except for the corselet (a patch of large, thick scales around the pectoral fin and along the lateral line) and the lateral line itself., Maximum recorded length is approximately 100 cm (39 inches) fork length, but commonly found between 40-60 cm (16-24 inches). Maximum weight around 13.6 kg (30 lbs).

Dorsal fin

Two dorsal fins, widely separated. First dorsal fin with 10-15 spines, second dorsal fin with 11-15 soft rays followed by 8-10 finlets.

Tail fin

Deeply forked caudal fin with a slender caudal peduncle featuring a prominent central keel and two smaller keels.

Pectoral fin

Short, not reaching the interspace between the dorsal fins.

Distinctive fins

A series of 8-10 dorsal finlets and 6-8 anal finlets posterior to the main dorsal and anal fins.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Dorsal Markings

   Look for the distinctive dark, wavy, oblique stripes or 'worm-like' markings on the back above the lateral line.

2. 2

   Pectoral Spots

   Identify the 3-7 prominent dark spots located below the pectoral fin, arranged horizontally.

3. 3

   Finlets

   Presence of 8-10 dorsal finlets and 6-8 anal finlets posterior to the main dorsal and anal fins.

4. 4

   Corselet

   Note the presence of a distinct corselet of large scales around the pectoral fin and along the lateral line, with the rest of the body appearing largely scaleless.

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