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Snake mackerel (Gempylus serpens) fish species and information / pictures of Snake mackerel - Gempylus serpens

Snake mackerel (Gempylus serpens) fish species information

Scientific Name
Gempylus serpens

Common Name
Snake mackerel

Biology
Strictly oceanic and usually solitary (Ref. 6181). Adults migrate to the surface at night while larvae and juveniles are found near the surface during the day (Ref. 6181). Feed on fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans (Ref. 9302). Males mature at 43 cm SL, females at 50 cm (Ref. 36731). Eggs and larvae are pelagic (Ref. 6766). Sold frozen, as sausages or fish cake (Ref. 9302). Not eaten raw, but cooked in any way, also dried (Ref. 7364).

Classification

Classified By

Cuvier, 1829

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Snake mackerels (Gempylidae)

Distribution

Region

Worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas. Adults also often caught in temperate waters. Specimen caught on the Atlantic side of South Africa (33?08'S 16?47'E at 700 m) (Ref. 6193) probably strayed from the Indian Ocean.

Distribution

Worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas. Adults also often caught in temperate waters. Specimen caught on the Atlantic side of South Africa (33?08'S 16?47'E at 700 m) (Ref. 6193) probably strayed from the Indian Ocean.

Range

42°N - 40°S, 180°W - 180°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

600 m

Zone

pelagic-oceanic

Environment

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 600 m (Ref. 13628)

Trophic Level

4.35 s.e. 0.70 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

60.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; bait: occasionally

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (63 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec=300,000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated