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Broadbarred mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) — Scombridae

Broadbarred mackerel

Scomberomorus semifasciatus
Family: Scombridae

The Broadbarred mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Scombridae that grows up to 120 cm.

Length
120 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–100.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The broadbarred mackerel is a large mackerel (Scombridae) from coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific and northern Australia. The species can grow to about 1.2 metres and has a slender, torpedo-shaped, silvery body with broad, grey crossbars and a row of detached finlets. As a fast predator it hunts small schooling fish, shrimp and squid in open water. It is an important sport and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadbarred mackerel?

The Broadbarred mackerel has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Broadbarred mackerel live?

The Broadbarred mackerel lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: Australia, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines

How big does the Broadbarred mackerel get?

The Broadbarred mackerel grows to a maximum of about 120 cm.

Is the Broadbarred mackerel dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadbarred mackerel is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Broadbarred mackerel edible?

Yes, the Broadbarred mackerel is commonly eaten.

More photos

Broadbarred mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) — Scombridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Alex, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Broadbarred mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) — Scombridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) slenderp51, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Broadbarred mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) — Scombridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) John Sear, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Broadbarred mackerel (Scomberomorus semifasciatus) — Scombridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) georgiahodgson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Broadbarred mackerel sourced
Scientific name
Scomberomorus semifasciatus
Family
Scombridae
Other names
Broad-banded Spanish mackerel; Broadbarred king mackerel; Broad-barred king mackerel; Broadbarred spanish mackerel; Brownie; Grey mackerel; Grey Spanish mackerel; Broadbanded mackerel; Broad-barred mackerel; Broad-barred Spaniard mackerel; Broad-barred Spanish mackerel; Korean mackerel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
120 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Scomberomorus

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Fin

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