Wahoo Acanthocybium solanderi Other Common Names: Ocean barracuda, Tigerfish, Peto, Pacific Kingfish, Ono Current I.G.F.A all time record: 71.89kg (158lb 8oz) - Baja, CA, USA - 10 June, 1996 Size, Migration and breeding: Large by standards of most fish families, reported to reach up to six feet and 100 pounds. Expected temperature range is 70° F to 86° F (21° C to 30° C) Range: Found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas. In Western Atlantic waters, they range from New Jersey to Colombia. Migratory, venturing far northward in summer, returning to the tropics with the onset of cold. The Gulf Stream may be a major freeway for their movements, and the Straits of Florida are a favorite haunt. Generally found along current lines and temperature changes in the open ocean. Floating debris and bait schools are also likely to be hot spots for the species. Description: The back is electric blue while belly is silver white. The flanks are covered in wavy lines. Unlike other gamefish, the upper jaw moves and has 45-64 teeth. The Lower jaw has 32-50 teeth. Numerous dark vertical bands on the side extending to below the lateral line, finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins, long snout, about half the length of the head, gill rakers are absent, first segment of the dorsal fin, with more than 20 spines, is about as high in the mid region as it is in front, upper and lower parts of tail are almost straight up and down. The wahoo is a large, powerful fish, usually alone, found well offshore even to mid oceanic regions. They are voracious predators, swiftly overtaking prey, of which flying fish and halfbeaks are favorites. Little is known of their reproductive habits. Possibly the quickest fish in the ocean that will test tackle to the upmost. Reel drags should be sinky smooth due to the speed of the fish. Sometimes the wahoo will jump but generally this species will make quick surface runs.