Bonito – Sarda chiliensis. Common Names: Bonita, Boneheads, Bonies, Laguna tuna.
Identifying Characteristics and Biology
- One of the most beautiful fish in the seas and pound for pound the toughest fighting on appropriate sized rod, reel and line combos.
- Has long sharp teeth distinguishing it from other tunas and mackerel.
- Brilliantly colored: blues, greens, silvers. Close observations can find iridescent purples and yellows. Wavy black lines from roughly from head to tail on top half of fish.
- When feeding or fresh caught, heavy black bars develop on sides vertically, typically disappear shortly after landing.
- Max. 40 inches length. A one year-old fish is typically 20 inches. 3 year old fish: 25 inches.
- Fast growing, short lived species.
Range and Location
- Northern range from Alaska to Southern Baja. Southern group ranges off Peru and Chile. It is surprisingly absent between these two northern and southern ranges.
- Temperate subtropical species.
Market Forms
- Japanese markets very popular as Handashi. Dried and shaved, and also dried and ground.
- Used in and for enhancement of soups and stocks.
- Fresh-fish: flesh is very good to excellent. When properly cooled immediately upon capture and blood line removed, flesh cooks up white, flaky with mild flavors.