Atlantic bonito

The Atlantic bonito is a close relative of the mackerel, but is much larger than it. In length it reaches up to 65 cm, and sometimes up to 85 cm, and in weight up to 4 kg, but there are record holders up to 7 kg. It has a massive torpedo-shaped body and is a very good swimmer - it can develop up to 60 km/h. The silvery belly contrasts with the metallic-bluish back speckled with parallel dark patterns.

The Atlantic bonito is a schooling fish and lives in large schools, sometimes of tens of thousands of individuals. It winters in the Sea of Marmara and the Mediterranean Sea, and in spring time crosses into the Black Sea to feed and breed. Occasionally, schools may enter the mouths of large rivers.

In autumn it begins its great migration south, the schools moving close to the coast, and then fishermen catch it in large numbers. It is curious that the young fish are called ‘tsiganka’ (‘gypsy woman’), the medium-sized ones ‘palamud’ (bonito), and the adults ‘torouk’.
The juveniles feed on plankton, but quickly grow up and become agile predators of sprat, anchovy, mackerel, etc., which they catch with their numerous sharp teeth.
Palamud is food for larger fish and dolphins.
It is one of the most valuable Black Sea fish. It is eaten fresh, but also canned and dried.