Distribution:

Circumtropical in tropical seas. Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada to Argentina. Eastern Atlantic: British Isles (rare vagrant) and Bay of Biscay to Angola, including the Mediterranean and Canary Islands. Eastern Pacific: Vancouver Island (British Columbia, Canada) to the Galapagos Islands. Common throughout the Indian Ocean.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 5-6; Dorsal softrays (total): 25-29; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft-rays: 15-17. Body dark to pale bluish, with 6-7 broad, dark bars; white tips on caudal lobes and on second dorsal and anal lobes.

Biology:

Oceanic species with a semi-obligate commensal relationship with sharks, rays, other bony fishes and turtles. Young are usually associated with jellyfish and drifting seaweed. Feeds on scraps of host's left-overs, parasites and excrement; also on small fishes and invertebrates. Marketed fresh and salted/dried. Captured at the surface using hand nets.

Max. size: 70.0 cm

Environment: pelagic; depth range 0 - 30 m

Climate: subtropical; 45°N - 35°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Pez Piloto