Cape horse mackerel (Trachurus capensis) fish species and information / pictures of Cape horse mackerel - Trachurus capensis

Cape horse mackerel (Trachurus capensis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Trachurus capensis

Common Name
Cape horse mackerel

Biology
Mainly over the continental shelf, often over sand bottoms (Ref. 27121). Shoals rise to feed in surface waters at night and found close to the bottom during the day (Ref. 27121). Juveniles feed mainly on copepods while adults prey on fish and a wide range of invertebrates (Ref. 27121).

Classification

Classified By
Castelnau, 1861
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Jacks and pompanos (Carangidae)

Distribution

Region
Eastern Atlantic
Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: Gulf of Guinea to South Africa. Bianchi et. al. 1993 notes 'Smith-Vaniz (1992, pers. comm.) does not believe that Trachurus capensis is a valid species but admits that an adequate series of this species along the coast of Africa are not available'.
Range
7°N - 37°S, 4°E - 24°E

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
500 m
Zone
pelagic-neritic
Environment
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 0 - 500 m (Ref. 54925), usually 100 - 300 m (Ref. 54925)
Trophic Level
3.47 s.e. 0.50 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
60.0 cm
Common Length
30.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial
Vulnerability
High vulnerability (60 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.11-0.42; tm=2)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated