Trachurus symmetricus (Ayres, 1855)
Pacific jack mackerel
photo by IGFA

Family:  Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos), subfamily: Caranginae
Max. size:  81 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 30 years
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 400 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: southeastern Alaska to southern Baja California, Mexico and the Gulf of California; reported from Acapulco in Mexico and the Galapagos Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-38; Anal spines: 1-2; Anal soft rays: 22-33; Vertebrae: 23-25. Small specimens may have an additional forward-directed spine at first dorsal origin (embedded in larger specimens).
Biology:  Adults are often found offshore, up to 500 miles from the coast (Ref. 9283). They form large schools (Ref. 2850). Young frequently occur in school near kelp and under piers (Ref. 2850). They feed mainly on small crustaceans and fish larvae (Ref. 9283). Large individuals often move inshore and north in the summer (Ref. 2850). Marketed fresh, smoked, canned and frozen; eaten fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9988).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 April 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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