Ancho

Jaw teeth prominent, sharp, compressed, in a single series. Two dorsal fins, the first short and low, with 7 or 8 feeble spines connected by a membrane. Back greenish, sides and belly silvery (Ref. 9860).

Caligus Infestation 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Fecundity varies from 400,000 to 2,000,000 eggs depending on the size of the individual (ranging from 370,000 in a 31 cm fish to 1,240,000 in a 54 cm fish) (Ref. 27695).Tailor are serial spawners (Ref. 6390).

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 - 28; Anal spines: 2 - 3; Analsoft rays: 23 - 27

Occurs inshore (Ref. 7300). In Western North Atlantic, it undergoes ontogenetic shift in the diet associated with the transition from oceanic to coastal habitats. Pelagic juveniles feed mainly on copepods prior to entry to the estuary, and primarily on fishes after entry to estuary (Ref. 12139). Tailor populations in South Africa and North America display definite seasonal migratory patterns, moving from higher latitudes to sub-tropical waters in winter (Ref. 1120, 6845). Tagging studies in Queensland and New South Wales have confirmed that a similar migratory pattern occurs in eastern Australian waters, at least north of Sydney (Ref. 6390).Tailor are cannibalistic and can be caught readily by anglers using tailor flesh as bait although the extent of their predation upon other tailor is probably limited by the species' tendency to school by size (Ref. 27687).One of the main predators during winter in a sandy beach at Canto Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil (Ref. 55758).

Occur in oceanic and coastal waters (Ref. 26340). They are most common along surf beaches and rock headlands in clean, high energy waters, although adults can also be found in estuaries and into brackish water (Ref. 6492). Small fish may be found in shallow coastal waters at least 2 m depth (Ref. 9563), in schools pursuing and attacking small fishes (Ref. 9626). Adults are in loose groups, often attacking shoals of mullets or other fishes and destroying numbers apparently far in excess of feeding requirements (Ref. 9860). Feed on other fish (Ref. 5377), crustaceans and cephalopods (Ref. 47377). Associated with sharks and billfishes (Ref. 26340). Voracious and aggressive (Ref. 9626), reported to bite when handled. Migrate to warmer water during winter and to cooler water in summer (Ref. 9987). Popular game fish (Ref. 6638). Good food fish; marketed mostly fresh (Ref. 9860), but also dried or salted (Ref. 5284), and frozen (Ref. 9987).

fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; bait: usually; price category: very high; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species