Kawakawa

Euthynnus affinis, the mackerel tuna, little tuna, eastern little tuna, wavyback skipjack tuna, kawakawa, or tongkol komo is a species of ray-finned bony fish in the family Scombridae, or mackerel family. It belongs to the tribe Thunnini, better known as the tunas. It is also in the genus Euthynnus of "little tunas," which includes the little tunny and the black skipjack.

Euthynnus affinis formerly was known as Euthynnus yaito.

Distribution

E. Affinis is an Indo-Pacific species which is found from the Red Sea to French Polynesia, but can also be found near Baja California.

The kawakawa is a pelagic, highly migratory species, often schooling from the surface of the water to depths of 200 metres (660 ft). However, it often sticks close to coastal structures and neritic shelves instead of the open ocean. It is also known to commonly inhabit coastal reefs and move into estuaries. It prefers waters ranging from 18–29 °C (64–84 °F).

It is a highly opportunistic feeder, eating squid, fish, crustaceans, and zooplankton. Like other tuna species, it will often form large, multi-species schools with other scombridaes like the yellowfin tuna and frigate mackerel.

Predators of E. Affinis include larger tuna, billfish, sharks, birds, and marine mammals.