Author: (Lacepède, 1800)
FBname: Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel
Comments: A pelagic fish, inhabiting near edge of continental shelf to shallow coastal waters, often of low salinity and high turbidity (Ref. 30199, 48637); also found in drop-offs, and shallow or gently sloping reef and lagoon waters (Ref. 1602, 48637).  Feed primarily on small fishes like anchovies, clupeids, carangids, also squids and penaeoid shrimps.  Usually hunts solitary and often swim in shallow water along coastal slopes (Ref. 48637). Eggs and larvae are pelagic (Ref. 6769). Caught mainly with drift gill nets, bamboo stake traps, midwater trawls, and by trolling. Marketed mainly fresh; also dried-salted; commonly made into fish balls (Ref. 9684), frozen, smoked, and canned (Ref. 9987). A lipid-soluble toxin, similar to ciguatoxin has been found in the flesh of specimens caught on the east coast of Queensland, Australia. Known to undertake lengthy long-shore migrations, but permanent resident populations also seem to exist.