Butterfly kingfish

species of fish

The butterfly kingfish (Gasterochisma melampus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Scombridae. It is the type species of the genus Gasterochisma.

Butterfly kingfish

Description

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It resembles a slender tuna. The juveniles are characterized by enormous pelvic fins that are longer than the length of its head, and that become more proportional as the fish grows.

Distribution

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Drawing of a butterfly kingfish

This fish can be found around the world in southern temperate waters of 8–15 °C (46–59 °F), but most commonly under 10 °C (50 °F), and at depths to 200 m (660 ft) in the open ocean.

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References

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  1. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2012). "Gasterochisma melampus" in FishBase. October 2012 version.
  2. "Gasterochisma melampus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 18 April 2006.