Big-eye Scad / Atulai
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Big-eye Scad / Atulai
Selar crumenophthalmus
Images from Coral Reefs CD
See also shortfin scad, Decapterus macrosoma
The bigeye scad or atulai, as it is called in Chamoru, is an important foodfish found in all tropical seas. It is in the same family as the jacks (i'e', etc.). The combination of large eye and compressed body help distinguish it from other mackerel-like scads. The scutes (a lateral row of bony ridged scales forming a keel at the base of the tail) distinguish it from similar-looking small mackerels of the tuna family.
Atulai spend most of their time in deep nearshore waters beyond the edge of the reef. During certain times of the year, they migrate to shallow bays and channels where they form large schools. When inshore, they feed on small benthic (bottom-dwelling) invertebrates, foraminifera, and shrimp. When offshore, they feed on zooplankton and fish larvae.
Atulai reach a size of 15 inches (38 cm), but are rarely more than 10 inches (25 cm) at Guam. On moonless nights, atulai beyond the reef, can be attracted to lights set in the water beneath fishing boats and caught with hook and line. When inshore, atulai are harvested by nets and hook and line during the daytime. It is not unusual to see a large crowd of anglers fishing for atulai in and around the Agana Boat Basin area when atulai are running. Chamorus call this "tiempon atulai" or atulai time. Sometimes a large net is set across an entire bay to trap the atulai. A large group of people help close the net and harvest the atulai. Several thousand pounds can be harvested this way.
Atulai may also move between islands or island groups since they are not always present near Guam. Little is known of these offshore movements. While there is no consistent season for harvesting atulai, the best months for atulai fishing seem to be from August to November.
Photo © Richard C. Wasss??? (on original flyer)
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
