Distribution:

Indo-Pacific distribution for the chub mackerel S. japonicus; while S. colias is found in the Atlantic. S. japonicus is apparently absent from Indonesia and Australia and is replaced by Scomber australasicus. Population from the Red Sea and northern Indian Ocean (Gulfs of Aden and Oman) is S. australasicus. Complete partitioning of haplotypes among samples from the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific populations suggests that they may need to be recognized as separate species.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 9-11; Dorsal softrays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft-rays: 12-14; Vertebrates: 31-31. Interpelvic process small and single. No well developed corselet. Swimbladder present. First haemal spine posterior to first interneural process; 12 to 15 interneural bones under first dorsal fin. Anal fin spine conspicuous, clearly separated from anal rays but joined to them by a membrane. Back with narrow stripes which zigzag and undulate. Belly unmarked (Pacific pop.) or with/ wavy lines (Atlantic pop). Caudal peduncle with 5 finlets on the upper and lower edge. Distance between dorsal fins shorter than or equal to the first dorsal fin base.

Biology:

A coastal pelagic species, to a lesser extent epipelagic to mesopelgic over the continental slope. Schooling by size is well developed and initiates at approximately 3 cm; may also form schools with Sarda chiliensis, Trachurus symmetricus and Sardinops sagax. Stays near the bottom during the day; goes up to the open water at night, where it feeds on copepods and other crustaceans, fishes and squids. In Asian waters, it is said to move to deeper water and remain inactive during the winter season. Commercially cultured in Japan. Marketed fresh, frozen, smoked, salted and occasionally canned. Eaten fried, broiled and baked. Used in Chinese medicine.

Max. size: 64.0 cm

Max.weight: 2,900.0 g

Environment: pelagic; depth range 0 - 300 m

Climate: subtropical; 10 - 27°C; 60°N - 55°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Caballa