Fin's Fish Guide
The Chub mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) is a saltwater fish of the family Scombridae that grows up to 36 cm.
Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to South-East Asia and Oceania.
Description
The Indian mackerel is a slender mackerel of the family Scombridae widely distributed across the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a fusiform, blue-green to silvery body with detached finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins and reaches about 36 cm. It lives in schools in turbid, plankton-rich coastal waters, bays and lagoons and uses long gill rakers to filter phytoplankton and zooplankton from the water. The species is a very important food fish and is marketed fresh, frozen, canned, dried-salted or smoked and made into fish sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Chub mackerel?
The Chub mackerel has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Long gill rakers for filtering plankton; separate finlets; very important food fish.
Where does the Chub mackerel live?
The Chub mackerel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to South-East Asia and Oceania.
How big does the Chub mackerel get?
The Chub mackerel grows to a maximum of about 36 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.
Is the Chub mackerel dangerous to humans?
No, the Chub mackerel is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Chub mackerel edible?
Yes, the Chub mackerel is a highly prized food fish.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Chub 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 Rastrelliger
More from the family Scombridae
Want the complete picture on the Chub mackerel?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Chub mackerel is one of 12,519 species in the app.