Cunene horse mackerel (Trachurus trecae)

Scientific name: Trachurus trecae Cadenat, 1950

The Cunene horse mackerel (Trachurus trecae) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carangidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 15–22°C (59–72°F). Native range: Eastern Atlantic, Morocco to Angola. Sometimes ranging south to northern Namibia.

Cunene horse mackerel care at a glance

Temperature: 15–22°C (59–72°F)

Biology

Sometimes found near the surface. Forms schools. Commercial fishing trawlers catch this species at depths up to 650 m (J. Luyben, pers. Comm. 10/02). Feed mainly on crustaceans. Eggs are pelagic.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Trachurus trecae
Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 35.0
Depth range: 20–100 m (66–328 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range 20 - 100 m, usually 20 - 100 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: Morocco to Angola. Sometimes ranging south to northern Namibia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.26)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026