Scomber scombrus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Atlantic mackerel
French : Maquereau commun

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Scombriformes
Family : Scombridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a maximum length of 60 cm for a weight of 3.4 kg. Cylindrical body with very smooth appearance. Big mouth, presence of spines near tail. Coloration silvery blue-gray with greenish and black bands on upper flanks.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Atlantic Ocean, west from south Canada to USA, east from Iceland and Baltic Sea to Mauritania and Mediterranean Sea. Lives in open waters on continental shelf, close to shore, at depth down to 1000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is still locally abundant but overfishing, poor management of wild stocks and climate change are causes of concern for its survival.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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