Mackerel Scad
Decapterus macarellus
Max Size
See in AppMax Weight
—
Max Depth
400 m
Description
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.
Where to Find
Colors
Poisonous
See in SeabookSocial Behaviour
Group
Conservation status
(LC) Least concern
Habitat and Environment
Open water
Edible
See in SeabookSimilar Species
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mackerel Scad dangerous?
Mackerel Scad is classified as: Risk of ciguatera poisoning. Always exercise caution and keep a safe distance.
Where can you find Mackerel Scad?
Mackerel Scad can be found in: Egypt East, Laccadive Islands, Mariana Islands, Circumtropical, Cocos Island, Australia West, Saudi Arabia West, Honduras East, Malaysia East, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Costa Rica, Taiwan, Guinea, Panama East, Malpelo Island, Azores, Costa Rica West, USA East, Mexico South East, Australia North, Marshall Islands, Canada East, Costa Rica East, Malaysia West, Galapagos, Hawaii, Colombia West, Somalia East, Vanuatu, Sudan, Venezuela, Belize, Brunei, China, Ecuador, Myanmar, Eritrea, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Kenya, Senegal, Lesser Antilles, Qatar, India, Israel, USA West, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico West, Cuba East, Japan South, India East, India West, Thailand East, Thailand West, Panama West, Israel South, Oman, Oman East, Colombia North, Somalia North, Australia East, Nicaragua West, Nicaragua East, Guatemala West, Guatemala East, Honduras South, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Vietnam, Bermuda, Seychelles, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, Liberia, Benin, Cameroon, Saint Thomas and Prince, Togo, Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, French Polynesia, Polynesia, Singapore, Tanzania, Malaysia, Kuwait, Guinea-Bissau, Bahrain, Dominican Republic, USA, Honduras, South Africa, Red Sea, Japan, Cuba, Indonesia, Chagos Islands, Mexico, Mozambique, Jordan, Palau, Philippines, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Micronesia, Egypt, Brazil, Tonga and Samoa, Portugal, Gambia, Yemen, Mascarene Islands, Madagascar, Jamaica, Kiribati, French Guiana, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Comoros, Suriname, Fiji, Haiti, Bahamas, France, Thailand, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Somalia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Virgin Islands (U.S.), Virgin Islands (U.K.).
How deep does Mackerel Scad live?
Mackerel Scad can be found at depths of up to 400 meters.