African scad
📖 Overview
Adults are found in areas with sandy substrate. They migrate to the surface at night. They feed on fish and small crustaceans .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28 - 32; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 24 - 28. Dark blue above, silvery below; anal and pectoral fins pale yellow; caudal fin dark grey; pelvic fins white or hyaline; opercle with black spot .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for African scad is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 400 m . Deep-water South Africa; also southern Madagascar and Walters Shoals.
🌿 Ecology
fish and small crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | African Maasbanker · African scad |
| 🌍CES | kranas jihoafrický |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Carapau-africano |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Делагоанская ставрида |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 沙竹筴魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trachurus margaretae | Berry & Cohen | 1974 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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