Mackerel

Scomberomorus commerson

The narrow-barred Spanish mackerel belongs to the family Scombridae and ranges widely, with Southeast Asia at the centre of its distribution. It extends west to the east coast of Africa and the Middle East, follows the northern shores of the Indian Ocean, and reaches east into the South West Pacific.

Family

Scombridae

Avg Size

100-150 cm

Habitat

Centred on Southeast Asia, the species spreads west to the African east coast and the Persian Gulf, along the northern Indian Ocean coastline, and east as far as Fiji. It is common along both Australian coasts, reaching Perth in the west and Sydney in the east, and ranges north to China and Japan. After first being recorded in the Mediterranean in 1935, it has become abundant in the eastern Levant, where it is now an important catch for local fisheries.

Behaviour

These are aggressive, opportunistic hunters. Like others in the genus, they take mostly small fish, supplemented by smaller amounts of shrimp and squid.

Where & When to See It

Shaab El Erg

Mackerel

Where & When to See It

More Fish