Also known as Skipjack Tuna, this species is distinguished from others by the presence of 4 to 6 prominent longitudinal stripes on its ventral area, extending from the belly and flanks to the tail. Its back is dark blue with purple traces, while the belly and lower flanks are silver.
With very short pectoral and ventral fins, its dorsal fins are separated by a small gap at their base. The teeth are small and conical. They measure between 40 and 70 cm in length, although some specimens can reach up to 1 meter.
This is a typically oceanic species, found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, and is particularly characteristic of the tropical regions of the Atlantic. Skipjack Tuna accounts for 50% of global tuna catches and stands out as the most frequently caught species in the Pacific Ocean by weight.