Monterrey Spanish mackerel
Scomberomorus concolor is a predator of the family of mackerels and tunas. He is fished both as a sport fish and commercially and is considered endangered.
Description
Scomberomorus concolor reaches a maximum length of about 77 centimeters. The body is a spindle shape. The long first dorsal fin consists of 15 to 18 hard jets, of which the fifth is the longest. The second dorsal fin has 16 to 20 soft rays. The approach of the anal fin with 19 to 23 soft rays is opposite the second dorsal fin. The caudal fin is large and deeply notched. On top of the tail stem, there are six to nine Flössel, on the bottom six to eight. The pelvic fins are very small, the pectoral fins set behind the gills on the midsection. A swim bladder is absent. As with many Scomberomorus species also runs at Scomberomorus concolor the sidelines quite irregular. From about the last rays of the first dorsal fin it runs obliquely downward, from the end of the second dorsal fin on the midsection. The back of the males are blue steel. The flanks are simply patterned in males silver shiny and not, as in many other Scomberomorus species, with females darker with brownish spots. Juvenile specimens show on their flanks dark, oval spots.
Distribution, habitat and biology
The distribution area of Scomberomorus concolor limited to the waters around Baja California. About the biology of this species is virtually nothing known. It is a predator that is like all Scombriden a fast swimmer. The animals live on the shelf.