Redtail scad (Decapterus kurroides)

Scientific name: Decapterus kurroides Bleeker, 1855

The Redtail scad (Decapterus kurroides) is a marine fish of the family Carangidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, East Africa to the Philippines, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-29; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 22 - 25. Deep bodied compared to similar species. Body color bluish green above, silvery below; caudal fin bright red. Sometimes a yellow mid-lateral stripe. Opercle with a small black spot; margin of opercular membrane smooth. 31-38 scutes.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Decapterus kurroides
Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 45.0
Common length: 30.0
Depth range: 100–300 m (328–984 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 100 - 300 m, usually 150 - 300 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to the Philippines, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.63)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026