Fish profile · Scombridae
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel
Scomberomorus commerson
A fast coastal mackerel recognised by many thin, wavy bars down its silver sides. It is taken by both commercial and recreational fisheries.
Last reviewed 26 October 2026 · 7 sources
- Max length
- 240 cm
- IUCN
- NT
- Near Threatened
- In Malaysia
- Native
- Family
- Scombridae
- order Perciformes
Category from the IUCN Red List, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0); it may lag the latest Red List assessment.
How big?
Linear scale · person 170 cm
Up to 240 cm.
Where in Malaysia
11 open-licence records · GBIF
- Recorded (open records)
Recorded in Sabah, Pahang, Perak, Pulau Pinang, and Terengganu. Based on 11 open-licence records on GBIF. Few records can mean few surveys, not few fish.
How to identify
- Numerous narrow vertical bars on the sides
- Long, laterally compressed body
- Lateral line turns sharply down beneath the second dorsal fin
Habitat
Pelagic waters near islands and rocky headlands, sometimes in small schools.
- Diet
- Mainly small fish; also squid and crustaceans.
- Native range
- Tropical Indo-Pacific.
Eating
This mackerel has been linked to ciguatera. Ciguatera is a natural poison that builds up in reef fish, and cooking and freezing don't destroy it.
More photos
Sources
Last reviewed 26 October 2026