Difference between revisions of "Mackerel" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Scsco_u0.gif|thumb|240px|right|Atlantic mackerel, ''Scomber scombrus'']]
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'''Mackerel'''  is a common name applied to a number of different species of [[fish]], mostly, but not exclusively, from the family [[Scombridae]].  They occur in all tropical and temperate seas.  Most live offshore in the oceanic environment but a few, like the [[Spanish mackerel]] (''Scomberomorus maculatus''), enter bays and can be caught near bridges and piers.  The largest species called "mackerel" is the [[king mackerel]] (''Scomberomorus cavalla'') which can grow to 66 inches (1.68 m).  Common features of mackerels are a slim, cylindrical shape (as opposed to the [[tuna]]s which are deeper bodied) and numerous [[finlet]]s on the [[Dorsum (biology)|dorsal]] and [[ventral]] sides behind the [[dorsal fin|dorsal]] and [[anal fin]]s.  The scales are extremely small, if present.
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fast swimming, important commercially
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Mackerel are prized (and are highly harvested for their meat, which is often very oily, are known for their fighting ability, and are an important recreational and commercial fishery.  The meat can spoil quickly, especially in the tropics, causing [[scombroid food poisoning]] - it must be eaten on the day of capture, unless [[Curing (food preservation)|cured]]. For this reason, mackerel is the only fish traditionally sold on a Sunday in [[London]], and is the only common salt-cured [[sushi]].This fish is highly valued by fisheries.
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A female mackerel lays about 500,000 eggs at one time.
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==Description==
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| name = Atlantic Spanish mackerel
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| image = Scmac_u0.gif
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''Scomberomorus maculatus''
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Members of the Scombridae family have two dorsal fins with five to 12 finlets behind the second dorsal and the anal fins (Nelson 1994). The first dorsal fin has nine to 27 rays, the pelvic fins have six rays and are placed behind the pectoral fins, which are high on the body (Nelson 1994). Tunas have a deeply forked or crescent-shaped tail, and the body is very narrow right before the tail.
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| name = King mackerel
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| image = Sccav_u0.gif
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''Scomberomorus cavalla''
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The '''king mackerel''' (''Scomberomorus cavalla'') is a migratory species of [[mackerel]] that lives its entire life in the open waters of the western [[Atlantic Ocean]] and [[Gulf of Mexico]]. It is an important species to both the commercial and recreational [[fishing]] industries.
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The king mackerel is a sub-tropical species of the Atlantic Coast of the Americas. Common in the coastal zone from [[North Carolina]] to [[Brazil]], it occurs as far south as [[Rio de Janeiro]], and occasionally as far north as the Gulf of Maine. Nonetheless, a preference for water temperatures in the range of 68 to 85 °F (20 to 29 °C). may limit distribution.
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King mackerel commonly occur in depths of 40 to 150 feet (12–45 m), where the principal fisheries occur. Larger kings (heavier than 20 lb or 9 kg) often occur inshore, in the mouths of inlets and harbors, and occasionally even at the 600 foot (180 m) depths at the edge of the [[Gulf Stream]].
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The '''blue mackerel''',  '''Japanese mackerel''',  '''Pacific mackerel''', '''slimy mackerel''', or '''spotted chub mackerel''', ''Scomber australasicus'', a fish of the genus ''[[Scomber]]'', is found in tropical and subtropical waters of the [[Pacific]] ocean, the [[Red Sea]], and the [[Gulf of Oman]] and the [[Gulf of Aden]], in surface waters down to 200 [[metre|m]] (656 [[foot (unit of length)|ft]]). Its length is between 30 and 55 cm (12 and 20 [[inches|in]]), and weight over a [[kilogram|kg]] (2.2 [[pounds (mass)|lbs]]). 
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The blue mackerel has a slim streamlined body with a pointed snout and large eyes, and is one of the smallest members of the tuna/mackerel family.  The first [[dorsal fin]] is triangular, the second much lower followed by serrated [[finlet]]s to the deeply forked tail. There are lateral thickening keels on each side of the [[caudal peduncle]] and the body is fully [[scale (zoology)|scale]]d.  There is a single row of sharp teeth in each jaw, the ones in the lower being larger.
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The blue-black back has narrow oblique lines which zigzag and undulate, and the belly is pearly white and marked with thin, wavy broken lines. 
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There is a [[swim bladder]] present. The blue mackerel feeds upon [[copepod]]s and other [[crustacean]]s, [[squid]], and small fish.
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==Importance==
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[[Image:Mackerel tomato sauce.jpg|thumb|Mackerel fillet in tomato sauce, a popular food in Scandinavia and the UK.]]Atlantic mackerel are sought after for food either cooked or as [[sashimi]]. It consists mostly of red meat and has a strong taste desirable to some consumers. Atlantic mackerel is extremely high in [[vitamin B12|vitamin B{{ssub|12}}]].  Atlantic mackerel is also very high in omega 3, containing nearly twice as much per unit weight as does salmon.  Unlike [[King mackerel]] and [[Atlantic Spanish mackerel|Spanish mackerel]], Northern Atlantic mackerel are very low in mercury, and can be eaten at least twice a week according to [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] guidelines.
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Although Atlantic mackerel have been somewhat depleted in the waters around [[Europe]], the Atlantic mackerel population apparently persists at abundant levels in [[United States|U.S.]] waters despite being overfished in the [[1970s]].
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Mainly in [[Scandinavia]], canned mackerel in [[tomato]] sauce is commonly used as sandwich filling.
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Macherel, like the tunas, are important in [[food chain]]s, consuming [[fish]], [[plankton]], and [[mollusk]]s, and being consumed by [[shark]]s, rays, billfishes, larger tunas, and toothed [[whale]]s. They are also important to human beings for food and for sport fishing. Tuna meat is very popular both canned and raw (as [[sashimi]] and with rice as [[sushi]]).
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As of 2005, king mackerel are primarily marketed fresh. They may be sold as fillets, steaks, or in the round (whole). Their raw flesh is grayish, due to its high fat content, They are best prepared by broiling,  frying, baking or, especially for large "smoker" king, by smoking.
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According to the [[EPA]], king mackerel is one of the four fish children and women of child-bearing age should avoid due to high levels of [[methylmercury]] found in these fish.
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==Species whose common name includes "mackerel"==
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Family '''[[Scombridae]]'''
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* [[Atlantic mackerel]] ''[[Scomber scombrus]]''
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* [[Atlantic Spanish mackerel]] ''[[Scomberomorus maculatus]]''
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* [[Blue mackerel]] ''[[Scomber australasicus]]''
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* [[Broadbarred king mackerel]] ''[[Scomberomorus semifasciatus]]''
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* [[Chub mackerel]] ''[[Scomber japonicus]]''
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* [[Australian spotted mackerel]] ''[[Scomberomorus munroi]]''
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* [[Double-lined mackerel]] ''[[Grammatorcynus bilineatus]]''
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* [[Happened mackerel]] ''[[Happundreus maculatus]]''
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* [[Indian mackerel]] ''[[Rastrelliger kanagurta]]''
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* [[Indo-Pacific king mackerel]] ''[[Scomberomorus guttatus]]''
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* [[Island mackerel]] ''[[Rastrelliger faughni]]''
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* [[Japanese Spanish mackerel]] ''[[Scomberomorus niphonius]]''
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* [[King mackerel]] ''[[Scomberomorus cavalla]]''
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* [[Spanish mackerel]] ''[[Scomberomorus macula]]''
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* [[Streaked Spanish mackerel]] ''[[Scomberomorus lineolatus]]''
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* [[Spotted Spanish mackerel]] ''[[Scomberomorus guttus]]''
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Family '''[[Carangidae]]'''
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'''Carangidae''' is a family of fish which includes the [[jack (fish)|jacks]], [[pompano]]s, [[jack mackerel]]s, and [[scad]]s.
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The family contains many important commercial and game fish, notably the [[Pacific jack mackerel]], ''Trachurus symmetricus'', and the other jack mackerels in the genus ''[[Trachurus]]''.
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'''Jack mackerels''' are marine fishes in the '''''Trachurus''''' genus of the [[Carangidae]] family.  The [[type species]] of the genus is the Atlantic horse mackerel, ''[[Trachurus trachurus]]''.  The name of the genus is derived from the [[Greek (language)|Greek]] word ''trachys'', meaning "rough", and the Greek word ''oura'', meaning "tail".
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* [[Atlantic horse mackerel]] ''[[Trachurus trachurus]]''
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* [[Blue jack mackerel]] ''[[Trachurus picturatus]]''
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* [[Cape horse mackerel]] ''[[Trachurus capensis]]''
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* [[Cunene horse mackerel]] ''[[Trachurus trecae]]''
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* [[Greenback horse mackerel]] ''[[Trachurus declivis]]''
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* [[Japanese horse mackerel]] ''[[Trachurus japonicus]]''
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* [[Mediterranean horse mackerel]] ''[[Trachurus mediterraneus]]''
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* [[Jack mackerel]] ''[[Trachurus symmetricus]]''
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Family '''[[Hexagrammidae]]'''
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* [[Okhostk Atka mackerel]] ''[[Pleurogrammus azonus]]''
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* [[Atka mackerel]] ''[[Pleurogrammus monopterygius]]''
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Family  '''[[Gempylidae]]'''
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* [[Black snake mackerel]] ''[[Nealotus tripes]]''
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* [[Blacksail snake mackerel]] ''[[Thyrsitoides marleyi]]''
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* [[Snake mackerel]] ''[[Gempylus serpens]]''
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* [[Violet snake mackerel]] ''[[Nesiarchus nasutus]]''
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* [[White snake mackerel]] ''[[Thyrsitops lepidopoides]]''
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==Use as an adjective==
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"Mackerel" is also used as an adjective in the vernacular names of other animals or breeds thereof, often used to indicate types with a mackerel-like pattern of vertical stripes:
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* [[Mackerel icefish]] - ''[[Champsocephalus gunnari]]''
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* [[Mackerel pike]] - ''[[Cololabis saira]]''
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* [[Mackerel scad]] - ''[[Decapterus macarellus]]''
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* [[Mackerel shark]] - several species
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* [[Sharp-nose mackerel shark]] - ''[[Isurus oxyrinchus]]''
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* [[Mackerel trevalla]] - ''[[Seriolella punctata]]''
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* [[Mackerel tuna]] - ''[[Euthynnus affinis]]''
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* [[Tabby cat|Mackerel tabby cat]] - ''[[Felis silvestris catus]]''
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* [[Tamasaba|Mackerel Tail Goldfish]] - ''[[Carassius auratus]]''
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==Other mackerel==
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A [[mackerel sky]] is a formation of [[altocumulus]] clouds. This cloud formation usually means that there is a large amount of moisture and precipitation headed in the direction of the clouds.
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==Predator==
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[[Shearwater]], [[tuna]], [[dolphin]]s, [[whale]]s, [[orca]], [[seagull]]s, [[marlin]]s, [[shark]]s, and [[human]]s may hunt mackerel.
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==References==
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* {{ITIS|ID=172414|taxon=Scomber scombrus|year=2006|date=18 April}}
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* {{FishBase species | genus = Scomber | species = scombrus | month = January | year = 2006}}
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* Nelson, J. S. 1994. ''Fishes of the World'', 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0471547131
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[[Category:Life sciences]]
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[[Category:Animals]]
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[[Category:Fishes]]
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{{credit|Mackerel|170119657|Atlantic_mackerel|158240419|Blue_mackerel|161510421|King_mackerel|158162209|Trachurus|159346861}}

Revision as of 19:32, 18 November 2007

Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus

Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of fish, mostly, but not exclusively, from the family Scombridae. They occur in all tropical and temperate seas. Most live offshore in the oceanic environment but a few, like the Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus), enter bays and can be caught near bridges and piers. The largest species called "mackerel" is the king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) which can grow to 66 inches (1.68 m). Common features of mackerels are a slim, cylindrical shape (as opposed to the tunas which are deeper bodied) and numerous finlets on the dorsal and ventral sides behind the dorsal and anal fins. The scales are extremely small, if present.

fast swimming, important commercially


Mackerel are prized (and are highly harvested for their meat, which is often very oily, are known for their fighting ability, and are an important recreational and commercial fishery. The meat can spoil quickly, especially in the tropics, causing scombroid food poisoning - it must be eaten on the day of capture, unless cured. For this reason, mackerel is the only fish traditionally sold on a Sunday in London, and is the only common salt-cured sushi.This fish is highly valued by fisheries.

A female mackerel lays about 500,000 eggs at one time.

Description

| name = Atlantic Spanish mackerel | image = Scmac_u0.gif Scomberomorus maculatus

Members of the Scombridae family have two dorsal fins with five to 12 finlets behind the second dorsal and the anal fins (Nelson 1994). The first dorsal fin has nine to 27 rays, the pelvic fins have six rays and are placed behind the pectoral fins, which are high on the body (Nelson 1994). Tunas have a deeply forked or crescent-shaped tail, and the body is very narrow right before the tail.

| name = King mackerel | image = Sccav_u0.gif Scomberomorus cavalla

The king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) is a migratory species of mackerel that lives its entire life in the open waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. It is an important species to both the commercial and recreational fishing industries.

The king mackerel is a sub-tropical species of the Atlantic Coast of the Americas. Common in the coastal zone from North Carolina to Brazil, it occurs as far south as Rio de Janeiro, and occasionally as far north as the Gulf of Maine. Nonetheless, a preference for water temperatures in the range of 68 to 85 °F (20 to 29 °C). may limit distribution.

King mackerel commonly occur in depths of 40 to 150 feet (12–45 m), where the principal fisheries occur. Larger kings (heavier than 20 lb or 9 kg) often occur inshore, in the mouths of inlets and harbors, and occasionally even at the 600 foot (180 m) depths at the edge of the Gulf Stream.



The blue mackerel, Japanese mackerel, Pacific mackerel, slimy mackerel, or spotted chub mackerel, Scomber australasicus, a fish of the genus Scomber, is found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific ocean, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden, in surface waters down to 200 m (656 ft). Its length is between 30 and 55 cm (12 and 20 in), and weight over a kg (2.2 lbs).

The blue mackerel has a slim streamlined body with a pointed snout and large eyes, and is one of the smallest members of the tuna/mackerel family. The first dorsal fin is triangular, the second much lower followed by serrated finlets to the deeply forked tail. There are lateral thickening keels on each side of the caudal peduncle and the body is fully scaled. There is a single row of sharp teeth in each jaw, the ones in the lower being larger.

The blue-black back has narrow oblique lines which zigzag and undulate, and the belly is pearly white and marked with thin, wavy broken lines.

There is a swim bladder present. The blue mackerel feeds upon copepods and other crustaceans, squid, and small fish.

Importance

Mackerel fillet in tomato sauce, a popular food in Scandinavia and the UK.

Atlantic mackerel are sought after for food either cooked or as sashimi. It consists mostly of red meat and has a strong taste desirable to some consumers. Atlantic mackerel is extremely high in vitamin B12. Atlantic mackerel is also very high in omega 3, containing nearly twice as much per unit weight as does salmon. Unlike King mackerel and Spanish mackerel, Northern Atlantic mackerel are very low in mercury, and can be eaten at least twice a week according to EPA guidelines.

Although Atlantic mackerel have been somewhat depleted in the waters around Europe, the Atlantic mackerel population apparently persists at abundant levels in U.S. waters despite being overfished in the 1970s.

Mainly in Scandinavia, canned mackerel in tomato sauce is commonly used as sandwich filling.

Macherel, like the tunas, are important in food chains, consuming fish, plankton, and mollusks, and being consumed by sharks, rays, billfishes, larger tunas, and toothed whales. They are also important to human beings for food and for sport fishing. Tuna meat is very popular both canned and raw (as sashimi and with rice as sushi).


As of 2005, king mackerel are primarily marketed fresh. They may be sold as fillets, steaks, or in the round (whole). Their raw flesh is grayish, due to its high fat content, They are best prepared by broiling, frying, baking or, especially for large "smoker" king, by smoking. According to the EPA, king mackerel is one of the four fish children and women of child-bearing age should avoid due to high levels of methylmercury found in these fish.

Species whose common name includes "mackerel"

Family Scombridae

  • Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus
  • Atlantic Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus
  • Blue mackerel Scomber australasicus
  • Broadbarred king mackerel Scomberomorus semifasciatus
  • Chub mackerel Scomber japonicus
  • Australian spotted mackerel Scomberomorus munroi
  • Double-lined mackerel Grammatorcynus bilineatus
  • Happened mackerel Happundreus maculatus
  • Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta
  • Indo-Pacific king mackerel Scomberomorus guttatus
  • Island mackerel Rastrelliger faughni
  • Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius
  • King mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla
  • Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus macula
  • Streaked Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus lineolatus
  • Spotted Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus guttus

Family Carangidae

Carangidae is a family of fish which includes the jacks, pompanos, jack mackerels, and scads.

The family contains many important commercial and game fish, notably the Pacific jack mackerel, Trachurus symmetricus, and the other jack mackerels in the genus Trachurus. Jack mackerels are marine fishes in the Trachurus genus of the Carangidae family. The type species of the genus is the Atlantic horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek word trachys, meaning "rough", and the Greek word oura, meaning "tail".


  • Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus
  • Blue jack mackerel Trachurus picturatus
  • Cape horse mackerel Trachurus capensis
  • Cunene horse mackerel Trachurus trecae
  • Greenback horse mackerel Trachurus declivis
  • Japanese horse mackerel Trachurus japonicus
  • Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus
  • Jack mackerel Trachurus symmetricus

Family Hexagrammidae

  • Okhostk Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus azonus
  • Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus monopterygius

Family Gempylidae

  • Black snake mackerel Nealotus tripes
  • Blacksail snake mackerel Thyrsitoides marleyi
  • Snake mackerel Gempylus serpens
  • Violet snake mackerel Nesiarchus nasutus
  • White snake mackerel Thyrsitops lepidopoides

Use as an adjective

"Mackerel" is also used as an adjective in the vernacular names of other animals or breeds thereof, often used to indicate types with a mackerel-like pattern of vertical stripes:

  • Mackerel icefish - Champsocephalus gunnari
  • Mackerel pike - Cololabis saira
  • Mackerel scad - Decapterus macarellus
  • Mackerel shark - several species
  • Sharp-nose mackerel shark - Isurus oxyrinchus
  • Mackerel trevalla - Seriolella punctata
  • Mackerel tuna - Euthynnus affinis
  • Mackerel tabby cat - Felis silvestris catus
  • Mackerel Tail Goldfish - Carassius auratus

Other mackerel

A mackerel sky is a formation of altocumulus clouds. This cloud formation usually means that there is a large amount of moisture and precipitation headed in the direction of the clouds.

Predator

Shearwater, tuna, dolphins, whales, orca, seagulls, marlins, sharks, and humans may hunt mackerel.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Nelson, J. S. 1994. Fishes of the World, 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0471547131

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