Scientific Name
Scomberomorus niphonius

Common Name
Japanese Spanish mackerel

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 19 - 21; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-19; Anal soft rays: 16 - 20; Vertebrae: 48 - 50. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Lateral line gradually curving down toward caudal peduncle. The only species in the genus with a straight intestine. Swim bladder absent. Body covered with small scales. Anterior quarter of first dorsal fin and a narrow distal margin of the rest of the dorsal fin black. Sides with seven or more rows of longitudinal spots on the sides; some spots connected together.

Classification

Classified By

Cuvier, 1832

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Mackerels, tunas, bonitos (Scombridae)

Distribution

Region

Northwest Pacific

Distribution

Northwest Pacific: confined to the subtropical and temperate waters of China, the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan north to Vladivostok, former USSR. Often confused with Scomberomorus munroi.

Range

45°N - 18°N, 108°E - 143°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

200 m

Zone

pelagic-neritic

Environment

Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 200 m (Ref. 54883)

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.80 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

100.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown 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; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (34 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.7; Fec>100,000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated