| Family: |
Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos), subfamily: Scombrinae |
| Max. size: |
183 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 7,760.0 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA to Brazil, including the Bahamas and West Indies. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 16-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-19; Anal spines: 0-0; 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. |
| Biology: |
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). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 November 2022 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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