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Island mackerel (Rastrelliger faughni) — Scombridae

Island mackerel

Rastrelliger faughni
Family: Scombridae

The Island mackerel (Rastrelliger faughni) is a saltwater fish of the family Scombridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–150.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The island mackerel is a small mackerel (Scombridae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a streamlined, blue-green body with a silvery belly and small separate finlets before the tail. It swims in fast schools in open coastal water and filters zooplankton with fine gill rakers. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Island mackerel?

The Island mackerel has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Island mackerel live?

The Island mackerel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji and others

How big does the Island mackerel get?

The Island mackerel grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Island mackerel dangerous to humans?

No, the Island 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 Island mackerel edible?

Yes, the Island mackerel is commonly eaten.

More photos

Island mackerel (Rastrelliger faughni) — Scombridae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Island mackerel (Rastrelliger faughni) — Scombridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Obsidian Soul (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Island mackerel (Rastrelliger faughni) — Scombridae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Island mackerel (Rastrelliger faughni) — Scombridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Wich’yanan (Jay) Limparungpatthanakij, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Island mackerel sourced
Scientific name
Rastrelliger faughni
Family
Scombridae
Other names
Faughn's mackerel; Indian mackerel; Island mackerel; Mackerel verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darsm, Myanmar, Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji 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 Rastrelliger

More from the family Scombridae

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