| Family: |
Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos), subfamily: Scombrinae |
| Max. size: |
125 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 6,710.0 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: along the Caribbean and Atlantic coasts of Central and South America from Belize to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Literature records for Scomberomorus maculatus from the Caribbean and the Atlantic coasts of Central and South America apply to Scomberomorus brasiliensis, which has erroneously been considered a synonym of Scomberomorus maculatus by many authors. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 17-19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-19; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 16-20; Vertebrae: 47-49. Snout much shorter than rest of the head. Interpelvic process short and bifid. Lateral line gradually curving down toward caudal peduncle. Body entirely covered with small scales, no anterior corselet developed. Pelvic fins relatively short. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Swim bladder absent. Sides silvery with several rows of round yellowish bronze spots. First dorsal fin black. |
| Biology: |
Does not migrate extensively, although some seasonal movement appears to occur off Trinidad. Feeds largely on fishes, with smaller quantities of penaeid shrimps and loliginid cephalopods. Most of the catch is consumed fresh, but in Brazil some is salted and some has been canned. Also utilized smoked and frozen; used for ceviche (Ref. 9987). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 September 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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