Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri)
Description
The color of the fish is steel blue above and pale blue below the lateral line. There is a series of 25 to 30 irregular, blackish-blue, vertical bars on the sides. The stripes are less noticeable in larger specimens, but may become more prominent when the fish becomes excited. A distinguishing characteristic is is the toothy, movable upper jaw. Also, gill rakers are absent in this species.
Size
The maximum reported size for the wahoo is 98 inches total length, with a maximum weight of 182 lbs. Typically, individuals attain a size of 39 to 66 inches.
Habitat
The wahoo is pelagic, living in solitary or forming small, loose aggregations. They congregate near drifting objects including sargassum. Wahoo move with the changing seasons, traveling into cooler waters during warm summer months.
Range
Its range is worldwide in tropical, warm temperate waters where it prefers temperatures of 70 to 86° F.