Butterfly kingfish

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

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

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.

Related pages

• List of prehistoric bony fish genera
• List of fish common names

References

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.