Fish
Atlantic horse mackerel
Trachurus trachurus
(IXa) Portuguese Waters - East
Zone de pêche
Wild
Origine
20 cm
Taille minimale
Description
Its body is elongated, spindle-shaped, and laterally compressed. Its head is large, with a slightly protruding lower jaw. Its lateral line is very distinctive, featuring a marked curve above the pectoral fin and covered along its entire length with scutes (large, pointed bony scales). It has two distinct dorsal fins. The first is spiny, and the second is long. Two spines precede the anal fin. The back is greenish-blue or grayish, while the sides and belly are silvery. A distinct black spot is present on the posterior edge of the operculum (at the gill opening). Its typical size is about 20 to 30 cm, but it can reach a maximum of 70 cm.
Habitat
It is a pelagic or benthopelagic fish. It is generally found at depths of 100 to 200 meters, but it can descend to depths of up to 1,000 meters. It lives in dense schools, often near the seafloor during the day and rising to the surface at night to feed on small fish, crustaceans (copepods), and squid.
Distribution
It is found from Norway and Iceland to Cape Verde and the coast of South Africa. It is very common in the North Sea, the English Channel, throughout the Bay of Biscay, and throughout the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in the Black Sea.