Description:

Dorsal spines: 7-8; Dorsal rays: 19-21; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 18-20.

Body elongate, oblong to elliptical, strongly laterally compressed. Dorsal and ventral profiles nearly equally convex. Snout pointed with dorsal profile of head and nape 
slightly concave. Upper jaw extends to posterior edge of pupil in adults. Lower jaw with 2 rows of teeth separated by a shallow groove. Body covered with slender, 
needle-like scales. Posterior soft dorsal and anal fin rays consisting of semi-detached finlets.

Colour. Bluish-green to bluish-grey dorsally becoming silvery white ventrally. 5-8 vertically elongate or oval black blotches along the side, the first 4-5 intersecting 
the lateral line. Blotches faint or absent in juveniles. Distal half of dorsal fin lobe black. White anterior lobe on the anal fin.

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 60cm TL. Commonly to 40cm TL.

Coastal species (depth 20-50m). Generally found in small schools. Feeds primarily on fish. Young use specialized juvenile dentition to aggressively remove scales and 
epidermal tissue from other fishes. Dorsal and anal fins may carry toxins.
 

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

Dorsal and anal spines may carry toxins.
 

Bray, D.J. (2018). Scomberoides tol in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4284 (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/1953 (02/06/19).
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. & Williams, I. (2016). Scomberoides tol (2017 errata version). The IUCN Red List 2016: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20435185A46664124.en. (02/06/19).

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Scomberoides tol, Needlescaled queenfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/scomberoides-tol-cuvier-1832/ (edited 26/06/22).