West African Spanish mackerel
📖 Overview
Inhabits warm waters . Forms school close to the shore . Enters coastal lagoons and feeds on clupeids particularly Ethmalosa fimbriata. Reproduces in July to August . Eggs and larvae are pelagic . Utilized fresh, dried-salted, smoked and frozen .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal soft rays: 17 - 20; Vertebrae: 46 - 47. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body covered with small scales. Lateral line gradually curving down toward caudal peduncle. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Swim bladder absent. Some large individuals with thin vertical bars. Anterior half of first dorsal fin and margin of posterior half of first fin black.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for West African Spanish mackerel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous ; depth range 1 - 40 m , usually 20 - 25 m . Tropical; 45°N - 19°S, 24°W - 14°E found in the northern Mediterranean Sea, along the coasts of France and Italy.
🌿 Ecology
clupeids particularly Ethmalosa fimbriata
📐 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
"West African Spanish 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 | 20.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 257 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for West African Spanish 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
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Mackerel · Spanish Mackerel · West African Spanish mackerel · West African mackerel |
| 🌍CES | makrelovec západoafrický |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Vestafrikansk kongemakrel |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | afrikanmakrilli |
| 🇫🇷French | Maquereau Bonite · Maquereau-bonite · Thazard blanc |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Sgombro macchiato |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Serra-branca |
| 🌍RON | Macrou regal |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Западноафриканская макрель |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Carite Pintado · Carite lusitánico · Garita · Sierra del Oeste Africano |
| 🌍THA | ปลาอินทรีสเปนแอฟริกาตะวันตก |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 西非馬鮫 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 681 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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