Description

Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of fish, mostly, but not exclusively, from the familyScombridae.

They occur in all tropical and temperate seas. Most live offshore in the oceanic environment but a few, enter bays and can be caught near bridges and piers.

Common features of mackerels are a slim, cylindrical shape (as opposed to the tunas which are deeper bodied) and numerous finlets on the dorsal and ventral sides behind the dorsal and anal fins The scales are extremely small, if present.

The largest species called "mackerel" is the ( Scomberomorus cavalla ) which can grow to 66 inches (1.68 m). A female mackerel lays about 1,000,000 eggs at a time.