Description:

Dorsal spines: 23-27; Dorsal rays: 12-16; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 12-14. Plus 7-10 dorsal and anal finlets.

Body very elongate, fusiform and only slightly laterally compressed. Snout and jaws elongate and beak like. Snout length about half of head length and 3 to 4 times longer than eye diameter. Mouth large with teeth in both jaws, closely set in a single series, teeth triangular, compressed, and finely serrate. Posterior part of maxilla completely concealed under preorbital bone when mouth closed. Body covered with minute scales. First dorsal fin long and low. Caudal peduncle slender with one large lateral keel, flanked by a smaller keel on each side

Colour. Head and body iridescent, blue-green dorsally, silvery below. 24-30 cobalt blue vertical bars extending below the lateral line that rapidly fade to dark grey after death.

Maturity: Lm 99.3 cm FL. Range 85-105cm FL. Max Length: 250cm TL. Commonly to 170cm FL.

An oceanic, epipelagic species frequently solitary or forming small loose aggregations, often near reefs, islands and sea mounts (depth 0-340m, normally 0-20m). Solitary predator feeding on variety of fish and also squid. Spawning seems to extend over a long period. Eggs and larvae are pelagic. One of the fastest fish in the ocean, swimming at up to 80 km/hr with specialised rigid gills that allow rapid uptake of oxygen to sustain fast swimming speeds.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the trolling and sports fishery, but is a relatively uncommon component of the catch.

Collette, B. et al 2011. Acanthocybium solandri. The IUCN Red List 2011: e.T170331A6750961. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T170331A6750961.en.  (31/05/19).

Fischer, W. & G. Bianchi (eds), (1984).  FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean; (Fishing Area 51). Prepared and printed with the support of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Rome, Food nd Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, vols 1-6.

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2019. FishBase. https://www.fishbase.in/summary/89 (31/05/19).

Heemstra P & Heemstra, E. (2004). Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. NISC SAIAB. ISBN: 1-920033-01-7.

Schultz, S. & Bray, D.J. 2018. Acanthocybium solandri in Fishes of Australia, (31/05/19), http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/716

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Acanthocybium solandri, Wahoo. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/acanthocybium-solandri-cuvier-1832/ (Revised 20/02/23).