| Family: |
Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos), subfamily: Scombrinae |
| Max. size: |
99 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 8,160.0 g |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 10 - 60 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Central Pacific: La Jolla in southern California, USA to the Galapagos Islands and Paita, Peru. Recently reported from Antofagasta, Chile. Many authors have erroneously considered this species to be a synonym of Scomberomorus maculatus, or a subspecies of it. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 15-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-19; Anal soft rays: 16-21; Vertebrae: 46-49. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body covered with small scales. Lateral line gradually curving down toward caudal peduncle. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Swim bladder absent. Pelvic fins relatively long. Sides silvery with numerous round brownish (orange in life) spots, three rows above lateral line, one above. The first dorsal fin is black distally and white at the base. The second dorsal fin is tinged with yellowish and with black margin. The anal fin is white. |
| Biology: |
A schooling species believed to spawn close to the coast over most of its range. Adults occur near the surface of coastal waters to over bottom of the continental shelf (Ref. 11035). Adults feed on small fishes, particularly anchovies (Anchoa and Cetengraulis) and clupeids (Odontognathus and Opisthonema). The most abundant game fish along the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America. An excellent food fish enough to support a commercial fishery. Marketed fresh and frozen; also used for ceviche (Ref. 9987). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 September 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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