Shark mackerel
📖 Overview
Form schools near individual bays and reefs in Barrier Reef waters. With the rising tide, they move into shallow water over the reef flats, feeding on schools of clupeoid fishes that concentrate there. Utilized as a food fish.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 13; Vertebrae: 31. Mouth relatively small, upper jaw reaching about to middle of eye. Pectoral fins stout. Interpelvic process short and single. No prominent anterior corselet present. Swim bladder present. Vertebrae 14 precaudal plus 17 caudal, total 31 as in the mackerels (Scomber and Rastrelliger).: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Shark mackerel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; oceanodromous ; depth range 15 - 50 m . Subtropical; 12°S - 37°S, 110°E - 157°E south to Shark Bay in western Australia, along the east coast of Queensland south to northern New South Wales.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- heavy 30-80 lb class trolling rod
- conventional reel
- 80-130 lb wind-on leader
- temperature breaks
- floating debris
- current edges
- offshore seamounts
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ International management (ICCAT, WCPFC). Strict quotas and size limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Shark mackerel 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
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 207 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Shark mackerel has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (oily fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammatocynus bicarinatus | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Grammatorycnus bicarinatus | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
| Thynnus bicarinatus | Quoy & Gaimard | 1825 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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