| Family: |
Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos), subfamily: Scombrinae |
| Max. size: |
100 cm FL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 12 kg |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 100 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: largely confined to inshore coastal waters of southern Papua New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia, from Shark Bay and Onslow, Western Australia to Sydney, New South Wales. This species was confused with Scomberomorus guttatus. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 16-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-19; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 16-20; Vertebrae: 48-49. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Lateral line gradually curving down toward caudal peduncle. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Swim bladder absent. Body covered with small scales. Membrane of first dorsal fin jet black with large contrasting areas of intense white between the 6th and the last spine. Sides of adults marked with about three indefinite rows of indistinct bronze-gray blotches (absent in 9.5 cm juveniles). |
| Biology: |
Schooling species which moves into inshore waters, bays and estuaries of Queensland during the southern midwinter and early spring. Often inhabit very turbid coastal waters shallower than 30 m (Ref. 6390). Common length 50 to 80 cm FL (Ref. 12241). Seasonally migratory in the Gulf of Carpentaria and form mixed schools with S. commerson over shallow reefs offshore of Queensland. Trolling lines with lures such as metal spoons and cut bait are used by recreational and commercial fishermen. Mostly marketed fresh (Ref. 9987). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 September 2022 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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