Scomberoides commersonnianus Lacepède, 1801

Coloration and Markings

Scomberoides commersonnianus Lacepède, 1801 has a single row of 5 to 6 large dark silvery spots or blotches running along its flanks, over the lateral line. It does not have a dark tip on its dorsal fin lobe.

Head and Mouth Features

Its snout is rather blunt, and its large mouth holds several rows of very sharp teeth.

Fin Structure

Both the anal fin and dorsal fin are truncated, with the posterior part of each fin reduced to spines. The caudal fin is strongly forked.

Body Color Gradient

The head and back are bluish grey, while the ventral side of the body is silvery.

Size and Weight

This species reaches a maximum total length of 120 centimetres (47 in), though individuals more commonly grow to 90 centimetres (35 in). The maximum published weight for Scomberoides commersonnianus is 16 kilograms (35 lb).

Distribution Range

Scomberoides commersonnianus has a wide distribution in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. It occurs from South Africa, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf in the west, east through Indonesia and Papua New Guinea as far as New Caledonia, north to southern Japan, and south to Western Australia and New South Wales.

Adult Habitat

Adult Scomberoides commersonnianus live in coastal waters, and are frequently found near reefs and offshore islands. They occasionally enter estuarine waters, and are normally found in small schools.

Feeding Habits

Adults are predatory, feeding on fishes, cephalopods, small invertebrates, and other pelagic prey. Juveniles use their rasping teeth to feed on the scales and epidermis of other fishes.

Growth Pattern

This species grows rapidly during early life, with growth slowing later on: it reaches 25 cm in its first year, and 50 cm by its third year.

Sexual Maturity

Females reach sexual maturity when they attain a fork length of 63 centimetres (25 in), at around 4 to 5 years old.

Spawning Details

Spawning occurs from August to March in Australia, and between March and June in the Persian Gulf. The fecundity of mature females is estimated at 259,488 to 2,859,935 eggs per spawning event.