Description:

Dorsal spines: 8 - 11; Dorsal rays: 12; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 12.

Body moderately deep, head longer than body depth. Maxilla partly concealed, covered by lachrymal bone but extending to about hind margin of eye. A black spot on body near lower margin of pectoral fin.

Colour: narrow dark longitudinal bands on upper part of body and spots dorsally. A black spot on body near lower margin of pectoral fin.  Dorsal fins yellowish with black tips. Caudal and pectoral fins yellowish.  Other fins dusky.

Maturity: Lm 19.9cm FL. Range 20-24.5cm FL. Max Length: 42.1cm TL. Commonly to 25cm TL.

Occurs, often in large schools, in coastal bays, harbours and deep lagoons, usually in some turbid plankton-rich waters (depth 0-60m). Feeds on phytoplankton and small zooplankton. Adult individuals feed on macroplankton such as larval shrimps and fish.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the mackerel net fishery, where it is a common and often very abundant component of the catch.

This species supports an important socioeconomic fishery that provides good value quality protein to the populace. Mackerel are also bought in bulk by fishery companies to sell to long liners as bait.

This species is listed as Data deficient ON the IUCN Red List, which notes: “monitoring of this species is needed on the national level, in addition to species-specific data on landings, effort and population status”.

Collette, B.B. & Nauen, C.E. (1983). FAO Species catalogue. Vol. 2 Scombrids of the World. An Annotated and Illustrated catalogue of Tunas, Mackerels, Bonitos and Related Species Known to Date. FAO 1983. ISBN 92-5-101381-0

Collette, B. et al 2011. Rastrelliger kanagurta. The IUCN Red List 2011: e.T170328A6750032. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T170328A6750032.en.  (01/06/19).

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. 2019. FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/111 (01/06/19).