Australian spotted mackerel
Scomberomorus munroi
Scomberomorus munroi is a marine, mackerel -like predatory fish from the family Scombridae. According to the Red List of endangered species, he is " increasingly at risk ". He is both commercially and as a sport fish for people of importance.
Description
The long first dorsal fin consists of 20 to 22 hard jets, the second dorsal fin from 17 to 20 soft rays. Both dorsal fins are black. The anal fin has 17 to 19 soft rays. Upper hand of the tail stem are 9-10 Flössel, on its lower eight to ten. The large caudal fin is deeply notched, typical of a fast swimming predator. As with the other Scomberomorus species also are the pelvic fins very small. The pectoral fins set about on the midsection. It is characterized by a strip of irregular, dark spots along the middle of the body, hence the English name "Australian spotted mackerel " ( "Australian spotted mackerel "). The flanks are silvery bluish. The side line is wavy and falls at the base of the second dorsal fin in the middle of the body from. The back is metallic blue, the belly bright Scomberomorus munroi has a terminal mouth and a spindle-shaped body with a maximum length of 104 centimeters, but usually only 50 to 80 centimeters. A swim bladder is absent.
Distribution, habitat and biology
The range of this species extends to the shelf to Australia, New Guinea and the south of the Malay Archipelago to Tasmania and the north of it lying coast of Australia missing Scomberomorus munroi however. They prefer open water, no reefs and shoals. This predator feeds preferentially on small fish, such as sardines and anchovies, but rarely also on crustaceans and cephalopods. The large schools which constitute the animals pull along the coasts around in search of food.