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Scombriformes (Mackerels) >
Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos) > Scombrinae
Etymology: Scomberomorus: Latin, scomber = mackerel + Greek, moros = silly, stupid (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Cuvier.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 1 - 40 m (Ref. 28173), usually 20 - 25 m (Ref. 28173). Tropical; 45°N - 19°S, 24°W - 14°E (Ref. 168)
Eastern Atlantic: Canary Islands and Senegal to the Gulf of Guinea and Baía dos Tigres, Angola. Rarely found in the northern Mediterranean Sea, along the coasts of France and Italy. This species has been erroneously been considered as a synonym of Scomberomorus maculatus by many authors.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 37.3, range 33 - 45 cm
Max length : 100.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2683); 98.0 cm FL (female); common length : 75.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2683); max. published weight: 6.0 kg (Ref. 40637); max. reported age: 5 years (Ref. 27160)
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal soft rays: 17 - 20; Vertebrae: 46 - 47. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body covered with small scales. Lateral line gradually curving down toward caudal peduncle. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Swim bladder absent. Some large individuals with thin vertical bars. Anterior half of first dorsal fin and margin of posterior half of first fin black.
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
Inhabits warm waters (Ref. 2683). Forms school close to the shore (Ref. 9987). Enters coastal lagoons and feeds on clupeids particularly Ethmalosa fimbriata. Reproduces in July to August (Ref. 5377). Eggs and larvae are pelagic (Ref. 6769). Utilized fresh, dried-salted, smoked and frozen (Ref. 9987).
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. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
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