Fin's Fish Guide
The American mackerel (Scomber japonicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scombridae that grows up to 64 cm.
Indo-Pacific and adjacent waters with an antitropical distribution from about 60°N to 48°S; also in the Mediterranean Sea.
Description
The chub mackerel is a slender schooling fish of the family Scombridae reaching about 64 cm. The back is blue-green with narrow, wavy stripes, the belly silvery-white and sometimes faintly marked. Like other mackerels it has two separate dorsal fins and a row of small finlets before the forked tail. It occurs in warm coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean. By day the schools stay nearer the bottom; at night they rise through the water column to hunt copepods, crustaceans, fish and squid. The chub mackerel is an important and highly sought-after commercial fish.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the American mackerel?
The American mackerel has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Blue-green back with narrow, winding stripes; series of small fins in front of the tail. Rises to open water at night.
Where does the American mackerel live?
The American mackerel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Indo-Pacific and adjacent waters with an antitropical distribution from about 60°N to 48°S; also in the Mediterranean Sea.
How big does the American mackerel get?
The American mackerel grows to a maximum of about 64 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.
Is the American mackerel dangerous to humans?
No, the American mackerel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the American mackerel edible?
Yes, the American mackerel is a highly prized food fish.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the American mackerel and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Scomber
More from the family Scombridae
Want the complete picture on the American mackerel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the American mackerel is one of 12,519 species in the app.