Smallmouth scad
📖 Overview
Adults occur in inshore waters of the continental shelf . Feeds primarily on small invertebrates, primarily microscopic crustaceans and molluscs. Caught mainly on hook-and-line .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24 - 26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 20 - 22; Vertebrae: 24. This species is distinguished by the following characters: adipose eyelid well developed on posterior half of the eye only; upper jaw narrowly rounded posteriorly, with supramaxilla relatively small without an anterior spine-like extension; gill rakers (including rudiments) 8-10 + 18-21 = 27-30. Colour in life green to bluish green above, silvery to white below, a diffuse dusky blotch on margin of opercle, not bordered above by a white spot; interradial membranes of spinous dorsal fin hyaline to dusky; spinous and second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins dusky yellow, with anterior rays of second dorsal and anal fins often with white tips; caudal-fin lobes often with dark tips; pelvic fins white and pectoral fins hyaline; juveniles with 7 dark bands on body .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Smallmouth scad is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Smallmouth scad is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Smallmouth scad is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 5 - 80 m . Tropical Central Pacific: endemic to northern Australia, from Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia to Wide Bay, Queensland.
🌿 Ecology
small invertebrates, primarily microscopic crustaceans and molluscs
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Alepes Apercna is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Smallmouth scad is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Smallmouth scad has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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