Yellowtail horse mackerel
📖 Overview
Adults occur in coastal waters, including estuaries , mostly in waters shallower than 150 m and warmer than 13°C . Commonly found on the bottom, in midwater and occasionally at the surface , in large schools . Adults are generally found over offshore rocky reefs, while juveniles are generally found in shallow, soft substrate areas . Utilized fresh, smoked, canned and frozen; can be fried, broiled and baked .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 33; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 22 - 29; Vertebrae: 24. Adults are elongate and compressed, and have a primary lateral line with 67-81 scutes, a secondary lateral line reaching to dorsal-fin ray 2, and a yellow caudal fin.: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Yellowtail horse mackerel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
The yellowtail scad is a pelagic predator that takes a variety of small plankton and fish. The species exhibits two different feeding patterns during different stages of life, with the juveniles between 91 and 150 mm feeding mainly on crustaceans while adults over 151 mm prey almost exclusively on small fish.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 22 - 500 m , usually ? - 150 m . Subtropical; 23°S - 50°S, 112°E - 176°W Southwest Pacific: Australia and New Zealand waters.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Yellowtail horse 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 | 19.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 383 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Yellowtail horse mackerel has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Bung · Chow · Horse Mackerel · jack mackerel · Mcculloch's Yellowtail · Scad · Southern Yellowtail Scad · Yakka · Yellow-tail Scad · Yellowtail · Yellowtail Chow · Yellowtail Horse Mackerel · Yellowtail Mackerel · Yellowtail Scad |
| 🌍CES | kranas novozélandský |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Newzealandsk hestemakrel |
| 🇩🇪German | Gelbschwanz-Pferdemakrele · Neuseeland-Pferdemakrele |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | ニュージランドマアジ |
| 🌍MRI | Hauture |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cavala-de-cauda-amarela |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Новозеландская ставрида |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Charrito de Cola Amarillo |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 新西兰竹荚鱼 · 紐西蘭竹筴魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trachurus mccullochi | Nichols | 1920 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 16 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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