Chinese seerfish (Scomberomorus sinensis)

Scientific name: Scomberomorus sinensis Lacep?de, 1800

The Chinese seerfish (Scomberomorus sinensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Scombridae. Native range: Western Pacific, Akita, Honshu, Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea and China south to Vietnam and Cambodia where it enters the Mekong River.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 19; Vertebrae: 41 - 42. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body covered with small scales. Lateral line abruptly curving down below first dorsal fin. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Swim bladder present. Sides silvery with large round, indistinct spots in two poorly defined rows in adults. Juveniles with saddle-like blotches extending down to about middle of body.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Scomberomorus sinensis
Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 218
Common length: 100.0
Depth range: 10 m (33 ft)
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; pelagic-neritic; amphidromous; depth range 10 - ? m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Pacific: Akita, Honshu, Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea and China south to Vietnam and Cambodia where it enters the Mekong River.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026