| Scomber
japonicus
Houttuyn,
1782 |
|
| Family: |
Scombridae
(Mackerels, tunas, bonitos) |
 |
| Order: |
Perciformes
|
| Class: |
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) |
| FishBase name: |
Chub mackerel |
| Max. size: |
25 in TL ; max.weight: 6.3 lb; max. reported age: 18 years |
| Environment: |
pelagic; oceanodromous; marine ; depth range 0 -
1000 ft |
| Climate: |
subtropical; 10 - 27°C; 60°N - 55°S |
| Importance: |
fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture:
commercial; gamefish: yes; bait: usually |
| Resilience: |
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 -
4.4 years |
Distribution:
|
Indo-Pacific distribution for the chub mackerel
S. japonicus; while S. colias is found in the Atlantic
S. japonicus is apparently absent from Indonesia and
Australia and is replaced by Scomber australasicus .
Population from the Red Sea and northern Indian Ocean (Gulfs of Aden and
Oman) is S. australasicus . Complete partitioning of
haplotypes among samples from the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific populations
suggests that they may need to be recognized as separate species . |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal
spines
(total): 9-11; Dorsal
soft
rays (total): 11-12; Anal
spines:
0-0; Anal
soft
rays: 12-14; Vertebrae
: 31-31. Interpelvic process small and single. No well developed corselet.
Swimbladder present. First haemal spine posterior to first interneural
process; 12 to 15 interneural bones under first dorsal fin. Anal fin spine
conspicuous, clearly separated from anal rays but joined to them by a
membrane. Back with narrow stripes which zigzag and undulate. Belly
unmarked (Pacific pop.) or with/ wavy lines (Atlantic pop.)
Caudal peduncle with 5 finlets on the upper and lower edge. Distance
between dorsal fins shorter than or equal to the first dorsal fin base . |
| Biology: |
A coastal pelagic species, to a lesser extent
epipelagic to mesopelgic over the continental slope Schooling
by size is well developed and initiates at approximately 3 cm ;
may also form schools with Sarda chiliensis, Trachurus
symmetricus and Sardinops sagax . Stays near the
bottom during the day; goes up to the open water at night, where it feeds on copepods and other crustaceans, fishes and squids
. In Asian waters, it is said to move to deeper water and remain
inactive during the winter season. Commercially cultured in
Japan. Marketed fresh, frozen, smoked, salted and occasionally canned. Eaten fried, broiled and baked. Used in Chinese
medicine . |
| Red List Status: |
Not in IUCN Red List |
| Dangerous: |
harmless |
