(Scomberomous lineolatus)

Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scombriformes
Family: Scombridae

IUCN Redlist Status:   Least concern

Dorsal spines (total): 15 – 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-19; Anal soft rays: 17 – 22; Vertebrae: 44 – 46.

Commercial importance – Food fish

Max length : Male 94.0 cm

Female 98.0 cm

They are marine; pelagic and Oceanodromous fishes migrating between spawning and different feeding. These migrations cover more than 100 km.

The back is blue-grey; sides silvery white, upper part of body marked with a series of irregular, horizontal, narrow black lines sometimes breaking up into spots ventrally.

The pigment pattern of short lines on sides distinguishes them from all other species of Scomberomorus.

Upper jaw (maxilla) extends to below the hind margin of pupil; teeth in jaws pointed and strongly compressed.

Lateral line running almost straight to below second dorsal finlet, then slightly bent downward toward keel of caudal peduncle (which is very wide).

Body and pectoral fins covered with small scales.

Swim bladder is absent.

Adult feeds exclusively on smaller pelagics especially sardines.

Reproduction occurs by external fertilization. Eggs are scattered in openwater and are nonguarders.