Indo-Pacific king mackerel
📖 Overview
A pelagic migratory fish inhabiting coastal waters at depths between 15-200 m; sometimes entering turbid estuarine waters; usually found in small schools . Feeds mainly on small schooling fishes (especially sardines and anchovies), squids and crustaceans . Fishing peaks in the months of November and December in Eastern Thailand, late Dec and January in the northern part of the Gulf and January to March in its western part. Caught with midwater trawls, purse seines, bamboo stake traps, and by trolling . Marketed mainly fresh; also dried-salted , smoked and frozen . Small quantities of frozen product are exported to Europe and North America .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 24; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 19 - 23; Vertebrae: 47 - 52. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Swim bladder absent. Body entirely covered with small scales. Lateral line with many auxiliary branches extending dorsally and ventrally in anterior third, curving down toward caudal peduncle. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Sides silvery white with several rows of round dark brownish spots scattered in about three irregular rows along the lateral line. First dorsal fin membrane black.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Indo-Pacific king mackerel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous ; depth range 15 - 200 m , usually 20 - 90 m . Tropical; 38°N - 7°S, 49°E - 134°E West Pacific: Persian Gulf, India and Sri Lanka (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small schooling fishes (especially sardines and anchovies), squids and crustaceans (Ref
📐 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 | Indian Spanish Mackerel · Indo-Pacific Spanish Mackerel · Indo-Pacific king mackerel · Spotted Seer · spotted Spanish mackerel · spotted seerfish |
| 🇫🇷French | Thazard ponctué Indo-Pacifique · thazard ponctué |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Taiwansawara · タイワンサワラ |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Carite Estriado · Carite del Indo-Pacífico |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 斑點馬鮫 · 白北 · 白腹仔 · 臺灣馬加鰆 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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