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Dwarf saury (Cololabis adocetus) — Scomberesocidae

Dwarf saury

Cololabis adocetus

The Dwarf saury (Cololabis adocetus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scomberesocidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific, oceanic at the surface; strongly migratory species.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The dwarf saury is a very small saury (family Scomberesocidae) of the eastern Pacific. The species reaches only about 6 cm and has a slender, streamlined, blue-silvery body with small finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins. It lives oceanically at the surface and is a highly migratory species. As a plankton feeder it lives on small zooplankton and other small organisms. Because of its small size and open-ocean habits the species is little studied. It is harmless to humans and of no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf saury?

The Dwarf saury has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Very small, slender saury with small fins (finlets) behind the dorsal and anal fin; lives in shoals at the surface.

Where does the Dwarf saury live?

The Dwarf saury lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Eastern Pacific, oceanic at the surface; strongly migratory species.

How big does the Dwarf saury get?

The Dwarf saury grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Dwarf saury dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf saury is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Dwarf saury edible?

The Dwarf saury is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Dwarf saury sourced
Scientific name
Cololabis adocetus
Family
Scomberesocidae
Other names
Saury

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
5.6 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific, oceanic at the surface; strongly migratory species.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Very small, slender saury with small fins (finlets) behind the dorsal and anal fin; lives in shoals at the surface. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cololabis

More from the family Scomberesocidae

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