Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos) > Scombrinae
Etymology: Scomberomorus: Latin, scomber = mackerel + Greek, moros = silly, stupid (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 1 - 20 m (Ref. 9710), usually 1 - ? m (Ref. 55288). Tropical, preferred 24°C (Ref. 107945); 41°N - 24°S, 99°W - 34°W
Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA to Brazil, including the Bahamas and West Indies.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 40.5, range 38 - ? cm
Max length : 183 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 26340); max. published weight: 7.8 kg (Ref. 4699)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 16 - 18;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 15-19;
Anal
spines: 0;
Anal
soft rays: 15 - 20;
Vertebrae: 47 - 48. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Lateral line gently curving down toward caudal peduncle. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Swim bladder absent. Body covered with small scales. Anterior third of first dorsal fin black. Pelvic fins relatively long. Sides silvery with one long mid-lateral stripe and with several rows of yellow-orange streaks of variable length and small yellow spots above and below the stripe.
Most abundant in clear waters around coral reefs, occasionally forming schools. Feeds on clupeoids (Harengula, Jenkinsia and Opisthonema) and atherinids (Allanetta [= Craterocephalus), squids and shrimps. Good food and game fish (Ref. 5521). Utilized fresh, smoked and frozen; consumed pan-fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9987). Sometimes called the "Painted Mackerel" (Ref. 13442).
Collette, B.B. and C.E. Nauen, 1983. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 2. Scombrids of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of tunas, mackerels, bonitos and related species known to date. Rome: FAO. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(2):137 p. (Ref. 168)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 9987)
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
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