Short mackerel
📖 Overview
An epipelagic, neritic species that tolerates slightly reduced salinities in estuarine habitats and in areas where surface temperature range between 20° and 30°C. It forms schools of equally sized individuals. Batch spawning is believed to extend from March through September. Feeds chiefly on microzooplankton with a high phytoplankton component. Marketed fresh, frozen, canned, dried salted and smoked .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 31. This species is distinguished by the following characters: body very deep, its depth at posterior margin of opercle 3.7-4.3 times in fork length; head equal to or less than body depth; maxilla covered by lacrimal bone but extending nearly to end of lacrimal; gill rakers very long, visible when mouth is opened, 30-48 on lower limb of first gill arch; numerous bristles on longest gill raker, about 150 on one side in specimens of 12.7 cm, 210 in specimens of 16 cm, and 240 at 19 cm fork length; intestine very long, 3.2-3.6 times fork length; snout pointed; swim bladder present; vertebrae 13 + 18 = 31; interpelvic process small and single; anal spine rudimentary. Colour of spinous dorsal fin yellowish with a black edge, pectoral and pelvic fins dusky, other fins yellowish .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Short mackerel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous ; depth range 15 - 200 m . Tropical; 20°C - 30°C ; 18°N - 18°S, 93°E - 180°E Pacific Ocean: Andaman Sea to Thailand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
🌿 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.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | short mackerel · Short-bodied Mackerel · shortbodied mackerel |
| 🇫🇷French | maquereau trapu |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | A Gurukuma |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cavala-curta · Cavala-do-Indico |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | caballa rechoncha |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rastrelliger neglectus | van Kampen | 1907 | Synonym |
| Rastrellinger brachysoma | Bleeker | 1851 | Synonym |
| Rastrilleger brachysoma | Bleeker | 1851 | Synonym |
| Scomber brachypomus | Bleeker | 1851 | Synonym |
| Scomber brachysoma | Bleeker | 1851 | Synonym |
| Scomber neglectus | van Kampen | 1907 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 23 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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