Journal of Fisheries & Livestock Production
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Wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri (Cuvier, 1832), is a pelagic species of the Scombridae family, and the only species of the genus Acanthocybium Gill, 1862 [1]. A. solandri is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical oceanic waters [2] of the Indian [3-5], Atlantic [6-15], and Pacific oceans [4-5] including the Red [16], Mediterranean [2-17-19], and Caribbean seas [20]. However, the distribution of the wahoo species in the Mediterranean Sea has not been precise until today. Accordingly, only a few individuals of A. solandri have been reported around Sicily [17-18]. To the best of our knowledge, the wahoo species have never been reported in the southern Levantine Sea. However, [21] has mentioned that “No quantitative data exists and only anecdotic information is available” in the Lebanese waters. In this context, these notes aim to report the first confirmed specimens of Wahoo Acanthocybium solandri caught from Lebanese waters south of the Levantine Sea.

On 22 January 2024, a video of a scombrid pelagic fish (e.g., caught as Scomberomorus commerson) was shared with one of us (SF) by a fish market owner from Al-Arida, north of Lebanon. After an investigation by the authors (especially RA), it has been clear that the species is the wahoo Acanthocybium solandri. Consequently, fishers in the area have been interviewed by SM, and it has been confirmed that the specimen was caught during a fishing trip (targeting Mackerel, Tunas) at 35 m depth bycatch in fishing nets in Al-Arida waters, north Lebanon. In Addition, fishers from the area confirmed he catch of one other wahoo individual in the same area on 01 January 2024, and a photo has been shared with SM. As a result, the wahoo specimen caught on 22 January 2024 was 90 cm in length and 4 kg in weight. Based on the morphology, the wahoo specimen was characterized by its elongate, fusiform, subcylindrical body, colored dark grey with vertical blue bars (Figure 1A, and 1C). In addition, it was distinguished by its long and pointed conical snout (much shorter than the rest of the head [2]), and a large mouth with triangular and serrated teeth closely set in a single series [2-16] (Figure 1A, and 1C).

Figure 1: Acanthocybium solandri caught in the Lebanese waters. A. long and pointed conical snout. B. large mouth with triangular and serrated teeth closely set in a single series. C. The elongate body colored dark grey with vertical blue bars.

It is worth noting that A. solandri has a Mediterranean distribution [2-17-19]. However, only some individuals have been confirmed to be present in this area [17-19]. In this context, this note aims to increase the presence of wahoo in the Mediterranean Sea.

The wahoo individuals in Lebanese waters may belong to the Indo-Pacific population (e.g., as a genetic differentiation between the wahoo population of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific has been confirmed [22-23]). Accordingly, the recorded wahoo specimen may come from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal. A. solandri is a hard swimmer due to its gills specialization [24]. Wahoo is a high predator of flying fish, squids, and other prey [2-7-10-13-14-17-20, and references therein]—possible confusion with Scomberomorus commerson; however, the wahoo species is distinguished by its red chair (authors.pers.comm.fishers) (Figure 2). In addition, the Wahoo is a gonochoristic species with multiple spawning of buoyant eggs and is fast-growing [7-11-13-15]. Accordingly, it is highly requested for its commercial [10-12-14-17-25] and recreational (e.g., the Wahoo is appreciated as a gamefish) values [17]. However, A. solandir is a high parasite-carrying fish [5-17-26-27].

Figure 2: The white chair of Scomberomorus commerson, and the red chair of Acanthocybium solandri species.

Based on the fact that the wahoo is an important species in fisheries in many countries [10-12-14-17-25]. Suppose it finally establishes in the Mediterranean Sea and gets an abundant population. In that case, it can become an important resource for Mediterranean fishers, as has already happened with the rabbitfish (Siganus spp.) and the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) (pers.comm.RA). Fom a monitoring point of view, it is necessary to estimate/ or evaluate the existing population of A. solandri in the Mediterranean Sea. As well as it is essential to understand the wahoo Mediterranean population, ecology, biology, connectivity with the wahoo population of the Atlantic/ Indo-Pacific Ocean, and its impacts/ benefits on humans/and ecosystems.

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