Pacific jack mackerel
📖 Overview
Adults are often found offshore, up to 500 miles from the coast . Are considered as one of the straddling stocks in the northeast Pacific . They form large schools . Young frequently occur in school near kelp and under piers . They feed mainly on small crustaceans and fish larvae . Large individuals often move inshore and north in the summer . Marketed fresh, smoked, canned and frozen; eaten fried, broiled and baked .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28 - 38; Anal spines: 1 - 2; Anal soft rays: 22 - 33; Vertebrae: 23 - 25. Small specimens may have an additional forward-directed spine at first dorsal origin (embedded in larger specimens).: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pacific jack mackerel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 400 m. Subtropical; 65°N - 13°N
🌿 Ecology
small crustaceans and fish larvae (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.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Pacific jack 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) | 337 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pacific jack 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 (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Jack Mackerel · Mackereljack · Pacific jack mackerel · Scad |
| 🌍CES | kranas kalifornský |
| 🇫🇷French | Chinchard du Pacifique · Chinchard gros yeux · Chinchard gros yeux du Pacific · carangue symétrique |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Carapau-do-Pacífico |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Калифорнийская ставрида · Тихоокеанская (южная, калифорнийская) ставрида |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Charrito · Chicharro · Chicharro ojetón · Chicharro ojoton · Jurel · Jurel ojetón · Jurelillo · charrito chícharo |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 太平洋竹筴魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caranx symmetricus | Ayres | 1855 | Synonym |
| Decapterus polyaspis | Walford & Myers | 1944 | Synonym |
| Trachurus picturatus symmetricus | Ayres | 1855 | Synonym |
| Trachurus symmetricus symmetricus | Ayres | 1855 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 24 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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