Atule mate (Cuvier 1833)

This species is distinguished by the following characters: adipose eyelid well developed and completely covering eye except for a vertical slit centred on pupil; shoulder girdle (cleithrum) margin smooth, without papillae; terminal dorsal and anal rays finlet-like in adults, about twice length of adjacent rays and a little more separated but joined by interradial membrane; lateral line gently arched anteriorly, with junction of curved and straight parts below vertical from sixth to eighth soft rays of second dorsal fin; scales in curved part of lateral line 39 to 57; straight part with 0 to 10 scales and 36 to 49 scutes; a black spot, slightly smaller than eye, on upper margin of opercle and adjacent area of shoulder; dorsal and caudal fins dusky greenish yellow; anal fin pale yellow (Ref. 9894).Description: Body olive green dorsally, shading to white or silvery ventrally; prominent black spot posteriorly on opercle at level of upper eye; often with 10 dark bars on side of body; dorsal and caudal fins dusky greenish yellow (Ref. 2334, 90102). Body oblong, moderately compressed, with dorsal and ventral profiles almost evenly convex. The adipose eyelid completely covering the eye except for a vertical slit centered on pupil. (Ref. 90102)

Camallanus Infection 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Lecithocladium Infestation 1. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22 - 25; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 18 - 21

Occurs in inshore waters of the continental shelf (Ref. 75154). Inhabits mangroves and coastal bays (Ref. 4887); also found in coral reefs (Ref. 58534). Forms schools (Ref. 4887), or singly (Ref. 48635). Mainly diurnal. Fast swimming in midwater in pursuit of zooplankton (Ref. 48635). In Hawaii, more abundant from March to October (Ref. 4887). Feeds mainly on fishes (Ref. 26908). Feeds on crustaceans and cephalopods (Ref. 5213).

Adults inhabit mangroves and coastal bays in pelagic waters (Ref. 58302). They form schools to about 50 m in inshore waters (Ref. 9894), or singly (Ref. 48635). Are mainly diurnal. They feed mainly on crustaceans and planktonic invertebrates such as copepods, including cephalopods (Ref. 5213, 90102). They swim fast in midwater in pursuit of zooplankton (Ref. 48635).

fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family