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.

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.

Butterfly kingfish

Distribution

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.

Butterfly kingfish

Related pages

List of prehistoric bony fish genera

List of fish common names

References

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

Butterfly kingfish

Scombriformes

IUCN Red List least concern species