King gar (Scomberesox saurus scombroides) fish species and information / pictures of King gar - Scomberesox saurus scombroides

King gar (Scomberesox saurus scombroides) fish species information

Scientific Name
Scomberesox saurus scombroides

Common Name
King gar

Biology
An epipelagic, gregarious species. Occurs in surface waters of the open sea; occasionally enters bays and inlets (Ref. 9563). Flesh is highly esteemed (Ref. 6617) but large schools are too sporadic to be of commercial importance (Ref. 6531). Feeds on small planktonic organisms, preyed upon by yellowfin tuna, Cape gunnets, marine mammals. Migrates from spawning areas to cool temperate and plankton-rich waters (Ref. 36731).

Classification

Classified By

Richardson, 1843

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Pikes and Mudminnows (Esociformes)

Family

Pikes (Esocidae)

Distribution

Region

Atlantic, Indian and Pacific

Distribution

Atlantic, Indian and Pacific: generally circumglobal in temperate waters of the southern hemisphere. More common between 30?-40?S, but more northerly to 15?S near Africa and to near equator off Ecuador along South American west coast (particularly the young and juveniles). Highly migratory species, Annex I of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (Ref. 26139).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic-oceanic

Environment

Marine; brackish; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

4.39 s.e. 0.77 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

50.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = No PD50 data many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; bait: usually

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (50 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated