Mackerel

ID points

• Blue-green back covered with dark wavy bars
• Slender tail base, a row of finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins
• Spindle-shaped body with very fine scales

Basics

Family

Scombridae

Length

25–45 cm

Depth

0-200 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic · Temperate & polar · Open ocean

Distribution

Surface of open temperate and tropical seas worldwide

Habitat

Open ocean, surface waters

Diet

Plankton, small fish

Easily confused with

TunaSpindle-shaped body; very slender tail base with a lateral keelFlying FishHugely enlarged pectoral fins that spread like a pair of wingsFusilierBlue back and white belly, tail fin often tipped with black

Fun fact

Mackerel are fast, strongly migratory fish, known for mirror-silver flanks and a torpedo-shaped body. On migration they gather into vast, spectacular shoals. They are one of the world's most important commercial catches and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.