Family: (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos), subfamily: Scombrinae
Order: Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FishBase name: Spanish mackerel
Max. size: 91.0 cm FL (male/unsexed; Ref. 40637); Max. reported age: 4 years
Environment: reef-associated; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); marine; depth range 10 ? 35 m
Climate: subtropical; 20 ? 30°C; 44°N - 19°N, 97°w - 64°w
Importance: fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Cape Cod to Miami (USA) and Gulf of Mexico coasts from Florida, USA to Yucatan, Mexico. Three species namely: Scomberomorus tritor in eastern Atlantic, Scomberomorus sierra in eastern Pacific, and Scomberomorus brasiliensis in the Caribbean and Atlantic coast of South America have often been confused with this species. Absent in the Bahamas (Ref. 26938).
Biology: Migrates in large schools over great distances along the shore. Larvae are found in surface waters between 19.6° and 29.8°C with salinities of 28.3 to 37.4 ppt. Feeds mainly on small fishes (clupeoids and anchovies), few quantities of penaeoid shrimps and cephalopods. Casting, live-bait fishing, jigging, and drift fishing are also employed in capturing this species. Aerial spotting is sometimes used in locating the fish. Marketed fresh, frozen or smoked; eaten pan-fried, broiled and baked. |
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