Description:

Dorsal spines: 13 - 15; Dorsal rays: 12-14; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 12-13.

Body elongate and moderately compressed. Mouth fairly large, upper jaw reaching to middle of eye. Large conical teeth on both jaws. Dorsal fins close together. Margin of first dorsal fin almost straight, the second followed by 6-7 finlets. Anal fin followed by 6 finlets. Lateral line strongly undulating. Pectoral fins short. Body largely scaleless. Slender caudal peduncle with well-developed keel, flanked on each side by a smaller keel.

Colour. Back and upper sides brilliant blue-black, lower sides and belly silvery. Lacks spots, lines or other markings. Anterior edge of first dorsal fin dark, other fins greyish. Tips of second dorsal and anal fins white.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 248cm FL. Commonly to 190cm TL.

An offshore species usually encountered around coral reefs (depth 10-300m). Solitary or in small schools numbering 6 or less. Preys on small schooling fish and squid. Little is known of their biology.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line fishery and by trolling, it is a reasonably regular but generally not numerous component of the artisanal catch.

Collette, B.B. & Nauen, C.E. (1983). FAO Species catalogue. Vol. 2 Scombrids of the World. An Annotated and Illustrated catalogue of Tunas, Mackerels, Bonitos and Related Species Known to Date. FAO 1983. ISBN 92-5-101381-0

Collette, B. et al 2011. Gymnosarda unicolor. The IUCN Red List 2011: e.T170342A6756661. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T170342A6756661.en.  (31/05/19).

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2019. FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gymnosarda-unicolor (31/05/19).

Schultz, S.  Gymnosarda unicolor in Fishes of Australia, (31/05/19), http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/723