Description:

Dorsal spines: 7-8; Dorsal rays: 19-21; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 17-19.

Body elongate, oblong to elliptical and strongly laterally compressed. Dorsal and ventral profiles near equally curved. Snout pointed with dorsal profile of head and nape 
slightly concave. Upper jaw extends to posterior margin of eye in adults. Lower jaw with 2 rows of teeth, adults with teeth in inner row equal in size to those in outer 
row. Posterior soft dorsal and anal fin rays consisting of semidetached finlets. Pelvic fins subequal to pectoral fins. Lateral line slightly irregular, moderately convex 
above pectoral fin and straight posteriorly.

Colour. Grey-green dorsally shading to silvery white ventrally. Adults with a double series of 6 to 8 dusky blotches above and below lateral line. Dark patch on outer rays 
of second dorsal fin and often a round dark blotch on anal fin rays. In Seychelles often observed to have a yellowish ventral colouring including to the pelvic fins.

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 110cm TL. Commonly to 60cm TL.

Habitat and Ecology:

A coastal species that inhabits a variety of areas including shallow lagoons, seaward reefs and neritic waters over various substrates (depth 0-100m). Adults in clear 
lagoon and seaward reefs, juveniles in shallow inshore and brackish waters. Occurs singly or in small schools. Feeds mostly on small bony fishes and crustaceans. 
Juveniles reported to use their specialised rasping teeth to feed on the scales and epidermal tissues of other fish.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the hand line and various net fisheries. It is an occasional and not numerous component 
of the catch.

Notes:

Spines of the first dorsal and anal fins are venomous and capable of inflicting painful stings.

References:

Bray, D.J. (2017). Scomberoides lysan in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4282 (02/06/19)
Fischer, W. & G. Bianchi (eds), (1984).  FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean; (Fishing Area 51). Prepared and printed with the 
support of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Rome, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, vols 1-6.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/1951 (02/06/19).
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. & Williams, I. (2016). Scomberoides lysan (2017 errata version). The IUCN Red List 2016: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20434766A46664119.en. (02/06/19).

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Scomberoides lysan, Doublespotted queenfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/scomberoides-lysan-forsskal-1775/ (edited 26/06/22).