Photo. (c) 2022 K. Banane
Photo. (c) 2022 K. Banane
Scientific Name: Scomberomorus commerson
English Name: Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel
Creole Name:
French Name: Thazard rayé indo-pacifique
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT)
Description:
Dorsal spines: 15-18; Dorsal rays: 15-20; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 16-21.
Body elongate and compressed. Upper jaw reaching to posterior margin of eye or slightly beyond. Jaws with a single series of 5-38 sharp triangular teeth. Second dorsal fin
followed by 8-11 finlets. Anal fin, originating below midpoint of second dorsal fin, followed by 7-12 finlets. Body covered in small scales. Lateral line abruptly bent
ventrally below rear of second dorsal fin. Caudal peduncle with a well-developed keel, flanked on each side by a smaller keel.
Colour. Dark bluish-grey to bluish-green above, sides silvery grey, belly whitish. Flanks with numerous (40-65 in adults) wavy grey vertical bars. Juveniles frequently
with large oval spots and fewer than 20 bars.
Size:
Maturity: Lm 75.2, range 55-82 cm. Max length : 240 cm FL, common length : 120 cm TL. Max. published weight: 70.0 kg.
Habitat and Ecology:
Pelagic and oceanodromus. It inhabits the near edge of the continental shelf to shallow coastal waters (depth 0-200 m, usually 10-70 m). Feeds on small fish, squid and
crustaceans. Usually a solitary hunter. Forms spawning aggregations off specific areas of reef slopes and edges. Eggs and larvae are pelagic.
Fishery Status:
This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. Caught mainly by trolling and nets.
The all-tackle angling record (IGFA 2009) for this species is of a 44.91 kg.
Notes:
Photo courtesy and (C). Mr Kenneth Banane. This specimen was caught off the old lighthouse Port Victoria, January 2022.
References:
Bray, D.J. & Schultz, S. Scomberomorus commerson in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/728 (29/06/22).
Collette, B. et al. (2011). Scomberomorus commerson. The IUCN Red List 2011: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T170316A6745396.en. (29/06/22).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Scomberomorus-commerson.html (29/06/22).
Citation:
Nevill, J.E.G. (2022). Scomberomorus commerson, Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/scomberomorus-commerson-lacepede-1800/