Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 24-27; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 21-23.

Body elongate and moderately compressed, with ventral profile slightly more convex than dorsal.
Eye very large, shorter than snout length, with adipose eyelid completely covering eye except for a vertical slit centred on pupil. Upper jaw moderately broad at end and 
extending to below anterior margin of pupil. Teeth small and recurved, upper jaw with a narrow band, lower jaw with an irregular single row. Smooth to touch cycloid scales 
cover body except for small area behind pectoral fins.

Colour. Dorsally and top of head metallic blue or bluish-green to silvery white on flanks and ventrally. Tip of snout dusky or blackish. A narrow, yellow stripe often 
present from edge of opercle to upper part of caudal peduncle. Small elongated, blackish blotch on opercula upper margin. First dorsal fin clear with dusky margin. 
Second dorsal dusky. Anal and pectoral fins clear or slightly dusky at base. Pectoral fins sometimes with yellow tinge. Pelvic fins clear. Caudal fin dusky with tip of 
upper lobe dark.

Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 27cm SL. Commonly 24cm FL.
 

Habitat and Ecology:

Occurs in large inshore schools, usually in shallow waters, over shallow reefs. Prefers clean, clear insular waters but occasionally in turbid waters (depth 0-170 m, 
usually 0-10 m). Feeds mostly at night, primarily on planktonic or benthic invertebrates, including shrimps, crabs and foraminifers; also on fish. Life cycle is rapid 
and short.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the mackerel fishery. It is sold as food and also for bait.

Notes:

 

 

References:

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. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/387 (02/06/19).
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. et al. (2015). Selar crumenophthalmus (2017 errata version). The IUCN Red List 2015: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T190388A16510647.en. (02/06/19).

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Selar crumenophthalmus, Bigeye scad. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/selar-crumenophthalmus-bloch-1793/ (edited 26/06/22).