Species: Scomber colias, Atlantic Chub Mackerel

Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789

Atlantic Chub Mackerel

Body elongate, rounded; front and hind margins of eye covered by clear fatty eyelid; teeth at front and sides of roof of mouth; gill rakers shorter than gill filaments, 25-35 lower rakers; 2 well separated dorsal fins (distance between them <length of base 1st dorsal); the first dorsal triangular with VIII-X spines; second dorsal and anal fins with 12 rays, 5 finlets after second dorsal and anal fins; pectoral fins high, very short with 18-21 rays; one small flap between base of pelvic fins; tail deeply forked; 2 small keels (but no large central keel) on tail base; 1 lateral line, slightly arched at front; entire body covered with small scales; scales behind head and around pectoral fins larger and more conspicuous than those covering rest of body, but no well-developed corselet.

Generally silver, lower sides and belly silvery yellow, with many dark round blotches; back with blackish, oblique wavy lines.

Size: attains 65 cm; 2.9 kg.

Habitat: epipelagic, coastal; occurs in schools.

Depth: 0-300 m.

Warm waters of the Atlantic & Mediterranean; Nova Scotia to Argentina.