Blue Mackerel 
Blue Mackerel
Scomber australasicus
Average Weight/Length
Max length : 44.0 cm FL male/unsexed; common length : 30.0 cm FL male/unsexed; max. published weight: 1.4 kg
Other "Popular" Names for this Fish
Saba, Japanese Mackerel
Location Habitat
Occurs in coastal waters (Ref. 9340) and also in oceanic waters. Minimum depth reported at 87 m; fishing depths to 265 m. Schooling by size which may include jack mackerels and Pacific sardines. They are plankton feeders filtering copepods and other crustaceans, but adults also feed on small fish and squids. Also caught with encircling nets
Biology & Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 31. No well developed corselet but body covered with rather small scales. Palatine narrow. Anal fin origin clearly more posterior than that of second dorsal fin. Anal fin spine independent from anal fin. Swim bladder present. Snout pointed. Interpelvic process small and single. Back with narrow oblique lines which zigzag and undulate; the belly is pearly white and marked with thin, wavy broken lines.
Geographic Species Map (Fishbase.org Map)
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Summary of Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Persian Gulf; from Japan, south to Australia and New Zealand. Eastern Pacific: Hawaii and off Mexico (Socorro Island). |
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Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org) |
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Game Rating
Game Rating : 6/10
Game Description :
Food Rating
Game Rating : 7/10
Game Description :
Marketed fresh, dried-salted, smoked, canned and frozen
