Atlantic Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandri
Also known as Kingfish, Peto, Guarapucu, Ono, Thazard batard
Culinary Profile
Mild.
Firm with a large, circular flake.
Atlantic wahoo is an excellent source of low-fat protein.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Atlantic wahoo are steel blue above and pale blue below. They are covered with small scales and have a series of 25 to 30 irregular blackish-blue vertical bars on their sides that fade rapidly after death. They have large mouths with strong, triangular, compressed, and finely serrated teeth. Their snouts are about as long as the rest of their heads.
Biology
Atlantic wahoo grow fast, up to 8 feet and 158 pounds, though they are commonly between 3.3 and 5.4 feet long. They have a short life span, up to 5 or 6 years. They are able to reproduce at about 1 year old. For males, this is when they reach 2.8 feet in length, and for females, when they reach 3.3 feet. Atlantic wahoo spawn multiple times throughout the spawning season.
Where They Live
Range Wahoo are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They are found in tropical waters year-round but are also found in higher latitudes during the summer. Habitat Wahoo live near the surface and are frequently found alone or in small, loosely connected groups rather than compact schools. They may also be found near banks, pinnacles, and natural debris drifting in the ocean.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Massachusetts to Texas.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of Atlantic wahoo totaled 53,000 pounds and were valued at $210,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The majority of commercial landings came from Florida and North Carolina. Most (more than 95 percent) of the U.S. harvest of wahoo comes from the Pacific , mainly Hawaii. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: The authorized gear types in the fisheries for wahoo in the Atlantic include the automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, pelagic longline, rod and reel, and spearfishing gear (including powerheads). Hook-and-line gear has minimal impact on bottom habitat because it doesn’t contact the ocean floor.
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Atlantic Wahoo.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Atlantic Wahoo, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Atlantic Wahoo eat?
Atlantic wahoo grow fast, up to 8 feet and 158 pounds, though they are commonly between 3.3 and 5.4 feet long. They have a short life span, up to 5 or 6 years. They are able to reproduce at about 1 year old. For males, this is when they reach 2.8 feet in length, and for females, when they reach 3.3 feet. Atlantic wahoo spawn multiple times throughout the spawning season.
How does Atlantic Wahoo reproduce?
Atlantic wahoo grow fast, up to 8 feet and 158 pounds, though they are commonly between 3.3 and 5.4 feet long. They have a short life span, up to 5 or 6 years. They are able to reproduce at about 1 year old. For males, this is when they reach 2.8 feet in length, and for females, when they reach 3.3 feet. Atlantic wahoo spawn multiple times throughout the spawning season.
Where in the water column does Atlantic Wahoo live?
Range Wahoo are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They are found in tropical waters year-round but are also found in higher latitudes during the summer. Habitat Wahoo live near the surface and are frequently found alone or in small, loosely connected groups rather than compact schools. They may also be found near banks, pinnacles, and natural debris drifting in the ocean.
How should Atlantic Wahoo be cooked?
Atlantic Wahoo has Firm with a large, circular flake. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Atlantic wahoo is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are four stocks of wahoo: a South Atlantic/Gulf of America stock, a Puerto Rico stock, a St. Croix stock, and a St. Thomas/St. John stock. According to the most recent stock assessments: The South Atlantic/Gulf of America stock has not been assessed and the population status and fishing rate are unknown. However, catch limits are in place for this stock.
Population
The stocks have not been assessed. Although the population levels are unknown, management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing for the Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas/St. John stocks. Overfishing status is unknown for the South Atlantic/Gulf of America* stock, but catch is at recommended level.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest Atlantic wahoo have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Bycatch is low because hook-and-line, cast net, and gillnet gear are selective.
Management
NOAA Fisheries , the Caribbean Council , and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils) manage the Atlantic wahoo fishery. Managed under the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic Fishery Management Plan : Commercial vessel, charter vessel/headboat, and dealer permits are required.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 7 values
Nutrient Facts (NOAA)
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.