Mackerel Scad

Decapterus macarellus is a species of fish of the family, Carangidae. While mackerel scad can be considered gamefish, they are usually used as bait.

Description

The largest mackerel scad recorded was 46 cm long. Their elongated bodies look somewhat circular when viewed head on. They are distinguishable by a small, detached fin, located between the dorsal and caudal fins. Mackerel scad have 9 spines and 31-36 rays on their dorsal fins, while there are seven spines and 27-30 rays on their anal fins.

The mackerel scad's fins are black metallic to blue-green and its belly is white. The edge of the operculum has a small, black spot, with no spots on the lateral line. Mackerel scad's caudal fins have been described as reddish to yellow-green.

Distribution and habitat

The mackerel scad's range covers most of the world's oceans. In the western Atlantic, they have been found off Nova Scotia and Bermuda, south to Rio de Janeiro, although they do not seem common in the Gulf of Mexico. In the eastern Atlantic, mackerel scad have been found off St. Helena, Ascension Island, and Cape Verde. They have also been recorded in the Gulf of Guinea,The Azores, and Madeira. In the Indian ocean, mackerel scad have been found in the Red sea and the Gulf of Aden they are also known from South Africa, the Mascarenes, the Seychelles, and Sri Lanka. In the eastern Pacific, they are known from Revillagigedo Island, the Gulf of California, and the coast of Ecuador.

FAO areas where the Mackerel scad is native include the north east and northwest Atlantic, the center east and west Atlantic, the Mediterranean sea and the Black sea, the South east and west Atlantic, the eastern and western Indian, and the North west, center west, center east and south west Pacific.

Mackerel scad usually live in subtropical seas at depths up to 400 m. They prefer clear water, and are frequently found around islands. Although mackerel scad have been found at the surface, they are usually caught at depths between 40 and 200 meters. They feed mainly on zooplankton.

Economic significance

Mackerel scad are fairly important both to fisheries and to sportfishing. They can be used as food, but are known to carry ciguatera, and are more often used as bait, since large gamefish such as the blue-spotted grouper, giant trevally, and the onespot snapper are all known to feed on them.

This species is also significant for its use in preparing the Japanese snack Kusaya, a traditional product of the Izu Islands.