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Wahoo

Truly a top predator, these large fish can prey on fish that are even bigger than them, using their sharp and serrated teeth. Wahoo can break these larger fish into small, bite sized pieces before eating them.

 

Wahoo are large fish that can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, preferring tropical and subtropical waters. They have blue backs and pale underbellies, and blackish blue stripes on their sides. They have long snouts and small yet extremely sharp serrated teeth. Growing up to 2.4 meters (8 feet) long, wahoo live around 5 to 6 years but on rare occasion have been found to live for up to 10 years. Wahoo spawn year-round and many times during the spawning season because many eggs may not survive until adulthood. These fish mature quickly, ready to spawn around 1 year old, specifically when male wahoo are 0.8 meters long (2.8 feet) and when female wahoo are 1 meter long (3.3 feet).

Wahoo are opportunistic predators, feeding on prey that is available in the place they are living in. These fish are especially seen to be opportunistic when they are smaller, eating whatever prey they can. Larger size classes become somewhat more specialized as, more able to pick and choose their preferred prey. They eat smaller fish such as small tuna, flying fish, and herring as well as squid and porcupine fish. It is thought that wahoo also eat fish that is larger than them because they are able to tear them apart into bite sized pieces with their sharp teeth. While the wahoo are top predators themselves, they do have natural predators including sharks such as the silvertip shark.

 

 

Wahoo are often targeted by artisanal and recreational fishing. These fish are economically important for local and artisanal fisheries. Additionally, these fish are targeted throughout some of their range as prized fish in fishing tournaments. They may also be caught as bycatch, and even when fish are released after being unintentionally caught, mortality rates can be high. However, although certain local populations may be depleted, the species as a whole is still considered to be abundant, and their population numbers remain stable.

 

 

Even though these fish are considered “Least Concern” by the IUCN, ensuring sustainable fishing of the species is important for their continued survival. Oceana campaigns around the world to promote responsible fishing practices and ensure management plans and catch limits to rebuild ocean abundance.

 

 

 

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