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Chinese seerfish (Scomberomorus sinensis) — Scombridae

Chinese seerfish

Scomberomorus sinensis
Family: Scombridae

The Chinese seerfish (Scomberomorus sinensis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Scombridae that grows up to 247 cm.

Length
247 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
10.0–? m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (South) and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Chinese seerfish is a Spanish mackerel (Scombridae) from coastal and open water of the western Pacific; it also penetrates far up the Mekong. The species grows to about 200 cm and has an elongate, streamlined, silvery body, often with spots or stripes, and a mouth full of sharp teeth. As a fast, schooling predator it hunts small fish, especially sardines and anchovies. It is an important sport and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chinese seerfish?

The Chinese seerfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Chinese seerfish live?

The Chinese seerfish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Cambodia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (South) and others

How big does the Chinese seerfish get?

The Chinese seerfish grows to a maximum of about 247 cm. On average the species is around 100 cm.

Is the Chinese seerfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Chinese seerfish 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 Chinese seerfish edible?

Yes, the Chinese seerfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Chinese seerfish sourced
Scientific name
Scomberomorus sinensis
Family
Scombridae
Other names
Chinese seerfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (South) and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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

More from the family Scombridae

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