Mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Trachurus mediterraneus
- Common name
- Mediterranean horse mackerel
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Carangidae
- Genus
- Trachurus
- Size
- 20–60 cm
- Depth
- 0–500 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Trachurus mediterraneus reaches 60 cm. Pelagic Mediterranean and temperate East Atlantic jack with elongated fusiform silver body with metallic blue-green back, lateral line armed with prominent bony scutes (characteristic of Trachurus). Lives in huge dense schools from 0 to 500 m in coastal open water and continental shelf of Mediterranean and temperate Atlantic. Very important commercial fishery (popular consumption). Predator of zooplankton and small fish. Wide-angle photo subject for reflective schools.
Photo of Mediterranean horse mackerel
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Mediterranean horse mackerel?
- Mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) reaches 20–60 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Mediterranean horse mackerel?
- Mediterranean horse mackerel is found between 0–500 m deep.
- Is the Mediterranean horse mackerel dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Mediterranean horse mackerel?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Mediterranean horse mackerel?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Trachurus
Other species in the family Carangidae
- Caranx latus - Horse-eye jack
- Seriola rivoliana - Almaco jack
- Seriola dumerili - Greater amberjack
- Caranx crysos - Blue runner
- Pseudocaranx dentex - White trevally
- Lichia amia - Leerfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 126820)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5210496)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia