Mediterranean Horse Mackerel

Scientific Name: Trachurus mediterraneus

Category: fish

Mediterranean Horse Mackerel

Brief Description

A schooling marine fish belonging to the jack family, commonly found in the Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic.

Characteristics

Slender, elongated body with a greenish-grey to bluish back and silvery white belly. It features a visible yellow-ish longitudinal stripe and a high-set lateral line protected by hard, bony scales called scutes.

Habitat

Pelagic-neritic; commonly found in coastal waters over the continental shelf at depths of 5 to 500 meters.

When to Find It

Year-round, though more common in coastal areas during warmer summer months for spawning.

Conservation Status

Least Concern (IUCN)

Ecological Role

Provides a critical food source for larger marine predators such as tuna, dolphins, and seals. They feed primarily on smaller crustaceans and fish larvae.

Easily Confused With

Atlantic Horse Mackerel (Trachurus trachurus). The Mediterranean species is generally smaller and has shorter pectoral fins that do not reach the start of the anal fin.

Observation Tips

Typically observed via snorkeling near rocky coasts or docks in the Mediterranean, or found in local fish markets as a staple seafood item.

Interesting Facts

Unlike many other fish, horse mackerels have a 'second' lateral line and are known for their speed, utilizing their streamlined bodies to migrate long distances.