Scientific Name
Decapterus punctatus

Common Name
Round scad

Biology
Inhabits neritic waters, often near sandy beaches (Ref. 5217). A shoaling species, generally near the bottom (Ref. 27121). Feeds on planktonic invertebrates, primarily copepods, but also on gastropod larvae, ostracods and pteropods (Ref. 3277). Spawns well offshore year-round (Ref. 26938). Eggs are pelagic (Ref. 4233). A good food fish (Ref. 9626). Caught commercially and used mainly for bait.

Classification

Classified By

Cuvier, 1829

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Jacks and pompanos (Carangidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada (Ref. 7251) southward through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Morocco to South Africa, including the Madeira, Canary, Cape Verde, Ascension and St. Helena islands (Ref. 7097).

Range

46°N - 23°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

100 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 100 m (Ref. 2683)

Trophic Level

4.31 s.e. 0.24 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

30.0 cm

Common Length

18.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5005 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

Low vulnerability (17 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.32; tm

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated