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Bung (Trachurus novaezelandiae) — Carangidae

Bung

Trachurus novaezelandiae
Family: Carangidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bung (Trachurus novaezelandiae) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carangidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
22.0–500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The yellowtail horse mackerel is a jack (Carangidae) from the temperate waters of Australia and New Zealand. The species has a slender, streamlined, silvery body with a row of bony scutes along the lateral line. Adults live in coastal waters, including estuaries, usually shallower than 150 m and in water warmer than 13 degrees. It lives in large schools. As a predator it hunts small zooplankton, small crustaceans and small fishes. It is a food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bung?

The Bung has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bung live?

The Bung lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Bung get?

The Bung grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.

Is the Bung dangerous to humans?

No, the Bung is harmless to humans.

Is the Bung edible?

Yes, the Bung is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nieuw-Zeelandse horsmakreel sourced
English name
Bung verified
Scientific name
Trachurus novaezelandiae
Family
Carangidae
Other names
Chow; Cowanyoung; Horse mackerel; Jack mackerel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Average length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
22.0 verified
Max depth (m)
500.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
25.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Trachurus

More from the family Carangidae

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