Scientific Name
Scomberomorus sierra

Common Name
Pacific sierra

Biology
A schooling species believed to spawn close to the coast over most of its range. Occurs near the surface of coastal waters to over bottom of the continental shelf (Ref. 11035). Adults feed on small fishes, particularly anchovies (Anchoa and Cetengraulis) and clupeids (Odontognathus and Opisthonema). The most abundant game fish along the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America. It is an excellent food fish enough to support a commercial fishery. Marketed fresh and frozen; also used for ceviche (Ref. 9987).

Classification

Classified By

Jordan & Starks, 1895

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Mackerels, tunas, bonitos (Scombridae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Central Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Central Pacific: La Jolla in southern California, USA to the Galapagos Islands and Paita, Peru. Recently reported from Antofagasta, Chile. Many authors have erroneously considered this species to be a synonym of Scomberomorus maculatus, or a subspecies of it.

Range

33°N - 27°S, 121°W - 70°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

12 m

Zone

pelagic-neritic

Environment

Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 12 m (Ref. 5227)

Trophic Level

4.49 s.e. 0.80 Based on diet studies.

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

99.0 cm

Common Length

60.0 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: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (48 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=2-4)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated