Fish Identification Photos: Bullet Tuna, Bullet Mackerel, Auxis rochei eudorax: The Bullet Tuna is characterized by its “tuna-like” body, dark blue metallic back with 15 or more broad vertical dark bars above the lateral line that commence aft of the first dorsal fin, and a white belly.

The Bullet Tuna has two well separated dorsal fins with a very small second dorsal fin that is followed by 8 finlets. The anal fin is also very small and followed by 7 finlets. It has 15 or more broad vertical dark bars above the lateral line that comment aft of the first dorsal fin. The Bullet Tuna is one of the most difficult species to identify, being almost identical to the Frigate Tuna or Frigate Mackerel, Auxis thazard brachydorax (which has 15 or more broad oblique wavy lines above the lateral line that commence under the first dorsal fin).

The Bullet Tuna is a small torpedo shaped fish that is a member of the Scombridae or Tuna, Bonito, and Mackerel Family found in Mexican waters. The Bullet Mackerel is a coastal and oceanic pelagic schooling species that is seasonal. In Mexico, it is found in all waters except the northern 80 percent of the Sea of Cortez.

The Bullet Tuna is normally found in the first 600 feet of the water column traveling in large schools (and when located it is indicative that the big game fish are close behind). They are reported to reach a length of 22 inches and 10 pounds however they are normally 12-inches and about 2 pounds.

This species is caught primarily on trolled feathers or hootchies. It is viewed by locals as an excellent live bait that is pinned with a 7/0 hook and either flylined or sent down deep with a bottom rig. The Bullet Tuna is also used as an effective cut bait.

Bullet Tuna, Auxis rochei eudorax: Collected off the commercial fishermen's beach at Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, from the commercial fishing catch, in November 2008, water temperature 80 degrees. Size 12 inches. Photo courtesy of John Snow. Bullet Tuna, Auxis rochei eudorax: Caught with Captain Pata in the panga Salome, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, early morning in November 2003, in 85-degree water, utilizing a rapidly trolled black-and-blue “hoochie” about 3 miles north of La Playita. Size approximately 10 inches and 1 pound. A fish with no fins and aerodynamically-designed for speed. Does not survive a panga bait tank well, and is used as a dead bait sent “down deep,” pinned with a 7/0 hook attached to an 8-ounce sinker with 40-pound test line. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.