| Scomberesocidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scomberesox saurus | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Beloniformes |
| Superfamily: | Scomberesocoidea |
| Family: | Scomberesocidae J. P. Müller, 1843 |
| Genera | |
see text | |
Sauries are fish of thefamilyScomberesocidae. There are twogenera, each containing two species. The nameScomberesocidae is derived fromscomber (which in turn is derived from theGreekskombros, meaning 'mackerel') and theLatinesox meaningpike.[1]
Sauries are marineepipelagic fish which live in tropical and temperate waters. These fish often jump while swimming near the surface, skimming the water, which is similar toflying fish, a fellow member of the orderBeloniformes. The jaws of sauries are beak-like, ranging from long, slender beaks to relatively short ones with the lower jaw only slightly elongated. The mouth openings of sauries, however, are small and the jaws have weak teeth. The most distinctive feature of sauries, however, is the presence of a row of small finlets behind thedorsal andanal fins. They also lackswim bladders. Sauries grow to a maximum length of about 46 centimetres (18 in), but the group also includes the smallest of all epipelagic fish,Cololabis adocetus, with an adult length of just 7.5 centimetres (3.0 in).[2]
They are harvested commercially as afood fish;Pacific saury are consumed often inJapanese andKorean cuisine. The fish is usually grilled.
TheSaury, aSargo-classsubmarine, was the only ship of theUnited States Navy to be named for this fish.
There are two recognised genera within the family Scomberesocidae:[3]
A potential extinct genus,Praescomberesox, is known by fossil scales from theLate Eocene of California.[4]