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Kanadi kingfish (Scomberomorus plurilineatus) — Scombridae

Kanadi kingfish

Scomberomorus plurilineatus
Family: Scombridae

The Kanadi kingfish (Scomberomorus plurilineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scombridae that grows up to 120 cm.

Length
120 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–200.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Reunion I., Seychelles and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The kanadi kingfish is a large mackerel (Scombridae) from coastal waters of the western Indian Ocean, off East Africa. The species grows to about 1.2 metres and has a streamlined, torpedo-shaped, silver-blue body with rows of dark spots or lines along the flank and small separate finlets before the tail. As a fast schooling predator it hunts small fish and squid in open coastal water. It is a valued sport and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kanadi kingfish?

The Kanadi kingfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Kanadi kingfish live?

The Kanadi kingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Africa: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Reunion I., Seychelles and others

How big does the Kanadi kingfish get?

The Kanadi kingfish grows to a maximum of about 120 cm.

Is the Kanadi kingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Kanadi kingfish 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 Kanadi kingfish edible?

Yes, the Kanadi kingfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Kanadi kingfish (Scomberomorus plurilineatus) — Scombridae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Kanadi kingfish (Scomberomorus plurilineatus) — Scombridae — 3
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Kanadi kingfish (Scomberomorus plurilineatus) — Scombridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Wasini Tour Guide, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Kanadi kingfish (Scomberomorus plurilineatus) — Scombridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) mwanaisha_musa, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Kanadi kingfish sourced
Scientific name
Scomberomorus plurilineatus
Family
Scombridae
Other names
Kanadi kingfish; Kanadi seerfish; Queen mackerel; Spotted mackerel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
120.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Reunion I., Seychelles 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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