Scomberesox simulans (Hubbs & Wisner, 1980)
Dwarf saury
photo by SFSA

Family:  Scomberesocidae (Sauries)
Max. size:  13 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range - 0 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Southwest Atlantic, and Northeast Atlantic to eastern Indian Ocean: confined to warm-temperate or tropical waters, yet apparently antitropical. Eastern Atlantic: Portugal, the Azores and Madeira to Sierra Leone and westwards to 50°W, and from Angola to South Africa. Western Atlantic: Brazil to Uruguay. Often confused as the juvenile form of Scomberesox saurus scombroides (Ref. 27121).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Dorsal soft rays + finlets = 14-16; Anal soft rays + finlets = 17-20.
Biology:  Quite common, essentially oceanic, surface-schooling, and gregarious species. Feeds on small planktonic forms (Ref. 27121). Occasionally found in the stomachs of tunas. Too small in size to be of commercial interest (Ref. 6617).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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