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Fish
Near Threatened

Kingfish

Scomberomorus commerson

The narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) is a mackerel of the family Scombridae with a broad range. It is found from Southeast Asia westward as far as the east coast of Africa and the Middle East, along the northern fringes of the Indian Ocean, and eastward into the South West Pacific Ocean.

Family

Scombridae

Avg Size

120-200 cm

Habitat

This species centres on Southeast Asia but extends west to the East African coast and the Persian Gulf along the northern Indian Ocean, and east as far as Fiji in the South West Pacific. It is common along both Australian coasts, reaching south to Perth in the west and Sydney in the east, and north to China and Japan. First recorded in the Mediterranean in 1935 off Mandatory Palestine, it is now abundant in the eastern Levant, where it has become an important catch for local fisheries.

Behaviour

Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel are aggressive, opportunistic predators. In keeping with others in the genus, their diet consists chiefly of small fishes, supplemented by smaller amounts of shrimp and squid.

Kingfish

Where & When to See It

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