Chub Mackerel (Scomber Japonicus)

Latin name: Scomber japonicus
Common name: Chub mackerel
Other names: Spanish mackerel
In other languages: E: Macarela stornino, F: Maquereau Espagnol, D: Spanische Makrele
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Scombridae
Genus: Scomber

Distribution: Mediterranean, Atlantic to English Channel.

Habitat: Found in deeper water than most mackerel though at night they can be attracted to the surface by bright lights. Divers on night dives have had surprising encounters with this fish when their torches have attracted them out of the dark. The diver is usually more startled than the fish when this happens.

Behaviour: A pelagic open water and migratory fish which moves in shoals and follows similar migration patterns as other scombridae.

Size: Common: 15 - 30cm, maximum: 50cm.

Shape: Very similar to the Atlantic mackerel (scomber scombrus) but larger.

Colour: The flanks of this fish are marked with spots rather than stripes and a golden yellow band starting on the gill cover down to the tail on freshly caught ones is a good indication mark to this species.