Wahoo

{
  "id": "a2d967ac-4154-48c6-874f-6257f6a15fe4",
  "commonName": "Wahoo",
  "scientificName": "Acanthocybium solandri",
  "slug": "wahoo",
  "category": "saltwater",
  "aliases": [
    "ono"
  ],
  "description": "The wahoo is an open-water predator built for explosive speed, with a physique as sleek and formidable as a torpedo. Its body is an elongated, finely-tuned machine, covered in small, smooth scales and marked by a series of 25 to 30 cobalt blue vertical bars along a brilliant silver-white flank—bars that fade quickly upon death. A key identifier is the wicked set of razor-sharp teeth, more akin to those of a barracuda than a tuna. It sports a long, tapered head and a series of finlets running from the dorsal and anal fins to the crescent-shaped tail. While typical catches range from 15 to 60 pounds, these speedsters are capable of growing over 180 pounds and 8 feet in length, earning their reputation as one of the ocean's fastest fish.\n\nTo find wahoo is to hunt the blue water. They are a pelagic wanderer of tropical and subtropical seas worldwide, often shadowing temperature breaks, weed lines, current edges, and offshore structures like seamounts and drop-offs. Prime fisheries include the prolific grounds of the Bahamas and the Florida Keys, the legendary canyons off the mid-Atlantic US, the waters surrounding Bermuda, and the remote atolls of the South Pacific. They prefer the top layers of the water column and are frequently targeted by trolling high-speed lures or rigged baits just below the surface, often around floating debris or FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices).\n\nAnglers book trips for the wahoo's breathtaking, heart-stopping strike and blistering first run—an adrenaline rush unmatched by most gamefish. The initial hit is often a violent, line-peeling explosion that demands immediate drag management. Their sporting quality is defined by raw speed over sustained doggedness, making them a challenging and thrilling catch on light tackle. As a table fish, its fine-textured, snow-white flesh is exceptionally mild and versatile, highly prized for sashimi, grilling, or broiling. In the saltwater trophy circuit, a large 'hoo is a badge of honor, representing a perfect blend of angling skill, proper rigging to withstand its teeth, and the luck of being in the right patch of blue at the right time.",
  "imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/species/wahoo/main.webp",
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    "altText": "Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) watercolor",
    "caption": "The wahoo is an open-water predator built for explosive speed, with a physique as sleek and formidable as a torpedo.",
    "width": 2400,
    "height": 1340
  },
  "phases": [
    {
      "id": "97357664-a4de-4555-bd68-725a7a7c6bcd",
      "name": "Adult",
      "slug": "adult",
      "description": "The wahoo is in its prime predatory phase, roaming the open ocean as a solitary or loosely schooled hunter. This life stage is defined by relentless speed and opportunistic feeding, targeting smaller fish, squid, and crustaceans in the blue water.",
      "appearance": "Sleek, torpedo-shaped body with a brilliant silver-white base color and 25–30 vivid cobalt blue vertical bars running along the flanks, which fade rapidly after death. The head is long and tapered with a large mouth full of razor-sharp, triangular teeth similar to a barracuda's. Scales are small and smooth. Dorsal fin is continuous and low-profile, with 9–10 finlets trailing behind the dorsal and anal fins leading to a deeply forked, crescent-shaped tail. Size ranges from 15–60 pounds commonly, but can exceed 180 pounds and 8 feet in length. Body is streamlined for speed, with a dark blue-green back transitioning to the silver sides.",
      "triggers": null,
      "habitat": "Pelagic in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide, often near temperature breaks, weed lines, current edges, floating debris, FADs, seamounts, and drop-offs. Prefers the top layers of the water column in open blue water.",
      "anglersNote": "This is the primary phase targeted by anglers, prized for its explosive strikes and blistering runs, making it a thrilling catch on light tackle and a trophy in saltwater fishing.",
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      "imageUrl": null,
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    }
  ],
  "contentUpdatedAt": "2026-05-09T22:30:23.885Z"
}

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  "title": null,
  "description": "Wahoo, also known as ono, are fast, open-water predators found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide. Known for their explosive strikes and sharp teeth.",
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  "ogDescription": "Wahoo, or ono, are torpedo-shaped predators of the open ocean, prized by anglers for their blistering speed and violent strikes. Learn more about this formidable game fish.",
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