Greenback Horse Mackerel

Adults are elongate and slightly compressed, and have a primary lateral line with 71-89 scutes, and a secondary lateral line reaching to below dorsal-fin rays 7-9 (Ref. 33616).

Irona Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Codonophilus Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Eggs and sperm are released amongst schooling fish, possibly deep in the water column near the edge of the continental shelf. Eggs are distributed between the surface and the thermocline and larvae are carried inshore by currents.

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29 - 35; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 24 - 29; Vertebrae: 24

Commonly found near the bottom, in midwater and occasionally at the surface (Ref. 9258) in continental shelf waters (Ref. 27930). They form pelagic schools for most of the year but may move close to the sea bed during winter (Ref. 27931). Generally found at less than 300 m water depth with temperature less than 16° C (Ref. 9072). Juveniles inhabit coastal and estuarine waters although they may sometimes be found offshore (Ref. 27930). Feed mostly during the day mainly on krill and other planktonic crustaceans, light fish (Sternoptychidae) and lantern fish (Myctophidae) at the edge of the continental shelf (Ref. 27933).Seasonal patterns in the presence of surface schooling jack mackerel are thought to be a response to water temperature rather than evidence of migration, as surface schools are not generally found in water temperature above 17°C (Ref. 27933). Jack mackerel form schools of similar sized fish and there is evidence from demersal trawl surveys that the size of fish tends to increase with increasing depth of water (Ref. 5868).

Adults are commonly found near the bottom, in midwater and occasionally at the surface (Ref. 9258) in continental shelf waters (Ref. 27930). They form pelagic schools for most of the year but may move close to the sea bed during winter (Ref. 27931). Generally found at less than 300 m water depth with temperature less than 16° C (Ref. 9072). Juveniles inhabit coastal and estuarine waters although they may sometimes be found offshore (Ref. 27930). Adults feed mostly during the day mainly on krill and other planktonic crustaceans, light fish (Sternoptychidae) and lantern fish (Myctophidae) at the edge of the continental shelf (Ref. 27933).

fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; bait: usually; price category: very high; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species