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Atka mackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius) — Hexagrammidae

Atka mackerel

Pleurogrammus monopterygius
Family: Hexagrammidae

The Atka mackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius) is a saltwater fish of the family Hexagrammidae that grows up to 57 cm.

Length
56.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–720.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Atka mackerel is a greenling relative (Hexagrammidae) from cold coastal waters of the northern Pacific, around the Aleutians and the Bering Sea. The species grows to about 57 cm and has an elongate body with a yellow to olive ground and dark oblique bands. It forms enormous schools in open water above rocky bottoms and filters zooplankton with fine gill rakers. It is a very important commercial fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atka mackerel?

The Atka mackerel has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Atka mackerel live?

The Atka mackerel lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Atka mackerel get?

The Atka mackerel grows to a maximum of about 57 cm.

Is the Atka mackerel dangerous to humans?

No, the Atka mackerel is harmless to humans.

Is the Atka mackerel edible?

Yes, the Atka mackerel is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Atka-makreel sourced
English name
Atka mackerel sourced
Scientific name
Pleurogrammus monopterygius
Family
Hexagrammidae
Other names
Atka mackerel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
56.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
720.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
15.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pleurogrammus

More from the family Hexagrammidae

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