Family: |
Scomberesocidae (Sauries) |
Max. size: |
50 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 30 m, oceanodromous |
Distribution: |
Arctic (Ref. 43202). North Atlantic. Eastern Atlantic: Iceland, Norway and Denmark (rarely), along British Isles into Baltic Sea and throughout the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas to Morocco. Western Atlantic: Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada to North Carolina, USA and Bermuda (Ref. 7251). Highly migratory species. |
Diagnosis: |
|
Biology: |
Oceanic, schooling and gregarious. Occasionally shoals close to shore in large numbers (Ref. 9987). Feeds on zooplankton and fish larvae (Ref. 9987); food also includes fish eggs and small fishes (Ref. 5951). Preyed upon by fish, including tunas, marlin bluefish and cod (Ref. 9987); also pollock, dolphins and porpoises (Ref. 5951). It is an under-exploited fish in many parts of its range and suitable for canning and other inexpensive uses (Ref. 9987). Often leap of the water when chased by enemies (Ref. 35388). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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