Indian Spanish Mackerel

There are commercial and artisanal fisheries for S. guttatus in Kampuchea (Mergeron, 1970), Thailand (Tongyai, 1971), Malaysia (Pathansali, 1968), and India, particularly in the lower Sundarbans, West Bengal (Banerjee & Chakrabarty, 1972), around Madras (Vijayaraghavan, 1955), the Gulf of Mannar-Palk Bay area (Krishnamoorthi, 1957), and Malwan, south of Bombay (Kaikini, 1961). These fisheries may be operational throughout the year, but with peaks that differ from region to region in correlation with differential abundance of Indo-Pacific king mackerel. S. guttatus is one of principal species in the drift net seerfish fishery in India but the catch is not identified to species in the statistics. Indonesia reported between 4 047 and 4 639 t per year in the period from 1978 to 1981 in Fishing Areas 57/71. At the same time vessels from Taiwan (Province of China) caught between 10 838 and 14 699 t in Area 61 (FAO, 1983). The primary gear in most areas appears to be the drift gillnet, but the species is also taken in bamboo stake traps and with hand lines in Thailand (Tongyai, 1970), and by trolling or with hooks and lines in India and Malaysia (Jones, 1968; Rao, 1964; Pathansali, 1968). It is utilized fresh or salted in most areas (Kampuchea - Mergeron, 1970; Thailand - Tongyai, 1971; India - Jones, 1968). Although less abundant than the Indian mackerels (Rastrelliger spp.), S. guttatus is highly esteemed for food and commands a higher price in Thailand and India (Tongyai, 1966; Pathansali, 1968).The total catch reported for this species to FAO for 1999 was 51 395 t. The countries with the largest catches were Indonesia (23 850 t) and India (22 560 t).

An epipelagic, neriticspecies believed to be less migratory than S. commerson that may be encountered in turbid waters with reduced salinity. Movements in the Gulf of Thailand might be deduced from seasonal changes in peak fishing months along the coast of Thailand. These peaks are November/December in eastern Thailand, late December/January in the northern part of the Gulf and January-March in its western part (Tongyai, 1970). Based on occurrence of ripe females and size of maturing eggs, spawning probably occurs from April to July around Rameswaram Island between India and Sri Lanka (Krishnamoorthi, 1958). Ripe females (32.5 to 46.5 cm fork length) are taken in May in Thai waters. As with other species of Scomberomorus, the food of Indo-Pacific king mackerel consists primarily of fishes. Juveniles in India feed mainly on teleosts, particularly clupeoids such as Anchoviella (Venkataraman, 1961; Kumaran, 1964; Rao, 1964). Adults also prey mainly on fishes with small quantities of crustaceans and squids (Thailand - Tongyai, 1970, India - Rao, 1964). Anchovies are particularly important: Stolephorus in Singapore Straits (Tham, 1950, 1953), Anchoviella in Waltair, India (Rao, 1964).

Maximum fork length is 76 cm. Size at first maturity ranges between 48 and 52 cm total length in southern India, and about 40 cm total length in Thailand.

Along the shores of continental Indo-West Pacific from Wakasa Bay, Sea of Japan (Nakamura & Nakamura, 1982) and Hong Kong south to the Gulf of Thailand and west to the Gulf lying between the Arabian peninsula and Iran (Collette & Russo, 1979:fig. 10).

Depth of body less than in S. koreanus (22.8 to 25.2% vs 24.4 to 26.7% of fork length). Head larger than in S. koreanus (20.2 to 21.5% vs 19.7 to 20.4% of fork length). Gillrakers on first arch moderate: 1 or 2 on upper limb; 7 to 12 on lower limb; 8 to 14 total. First dorsal fin with 15 to 18 spines, usually 16 or more; second dorsal with 18 to 24 rays, usually 20 to 22, followed by 7 to 10 finlets; anal fin with 19 to 23 rays; followed by 7 to 10 finlets, usually 8; pectoral fin rays few, 20 to 23, modally 21. Lateral line with many fine auxiliary branches extending dorsally and ventrally in anterior third, gradually curving down toward caudal peduncle. Vertebrae 19 to 22 precaudal plus 28 to 31 caudal, total 47 to 52, usually 50 or 51. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Colour: sides silvery white with several longitudinal rows of round dark brownish spots (smaller than eye diameter) scattered in about 3 irregular rows along lateral line. First dorsal fin membrane black (up to the 8th spine white posteriorly, with the distal margin black; pectoral, second dorsal and caudal fins dark brown; pelvic and anal fins silvery white.

Interpelvic process small and bifid. Swim bladder absent. Body entirely covered with small scales. Lateral line with many auxiliary branches extending dorsally and ventrally in anterior third, curving down toward caudal peduncle. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Sides silvery white with several rows of round dark brownish spots scattered in about three irregular rows along the lateral line. First dorsal fin membrane black.

Pricea Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Oceanodromous. Migrating within oceans typically between spawning and different feeding areas, as tunas do. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 24; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 19 - 23; Vertebrae: 47 - 52

Movements in the Gulf of Thailand might be deduced from seasonal changes in peak fishing months along the coast of Thailand. Juveniles feed mainly on teleosts, particularly anchovies while adults prey mainly on fishes with small quantities of crustaceans and squids.

A pelagic migratory fish inhabiting coastal waters at depths between 15-200 m; sometimes entering turbid estuarine waters; usually found in small schools (Ref. 9684). Feeds mainly on small schooling fishes (especially sardines and anchovies), squids and crustaceans (Ref. 9684). Fishing peaks in the months of November and December in Eastern Thailand, late Dec and January in the northern part of the Gulf and January to March in its western part. Caught with midwater trawls, purse seines, bamboo stake traps, and by trolling (Ref. 9684). Marketed mainly fresh; also dried-salted (Ref. 9684), smoked and frozen (Ref. 9987). Small quantities of frozen product are exported to Europe and North America (Ref. 9987).

fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: very high; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species

分布於印度-西太平洋大陸棚沿岸，包括波斯灣、印度、印尼、中南半島、中國、台灣及日本南部。台灣各地均有產，但以西部沿岸較多。

經濟價值高之食用魚。全世界一年估計產量為4,000-4,500公噸。一般漁法以圍網、定置網、流刺網、一支釣為主。煎食或煮湯皆宜。

體延長，側扁，體高約等於或略短於頭長；尾柄細，兩側在尾鰭基處各具3條隆起脊，中央脊長而高，其餘二脊短而低。頭中大，稍側扁。吻尖突，大於眼徑。眼較小，位近頭的背緣。口中大，端位，斜裂；上下頜等長，上下頜齒各具齒一列，齒強大，側扁，三角形，8-9枚，排列稀疏；腭骨及鋤骨亦具齒，舌上無齒。第一鰓弓上之鰓耙數為1-2+7-12。脊椎骨數47-52。體被細小圓鱗，易脫落，側線鱗較大，腹部大部分裸露無鱗；側線完全，無分枝，沿背側呈波浪狀伸達尾鰭基。第一背鰭具硬棘XV-XVIII，與第二背鰭起點距離近，其後具7-10個離鰭；臀鰭與第二背鰭同形；尾鰭新月形。體背藍灰色，腹部銀白色，體側具3-4列暗斑。第一背鰭前半部黑色，其後白色而具黑緣；餘鰭灰黑或灰色。

近海暖水性中上層魚類，主要棲息於水深15-200公尺的近沿海大陸棚，有時會出現於岩岸陡坡或潟湖區，甚至河口域。游泳敏捷，性凶猛，成小群游動。主要捕食小型群游魚類和甲殼類。

Indo-Pacific king mackerel (Scomberomorus guttatus), popularly known as the "(spotted) seer fish", is a sea fish among the mackerel variety of fishes. It is found in around the Indian Ocean and adjoining seas. It is a popular game fish, growing up to 45 kg (99 lb)), and is a strong fighter that has on occasion been seen to leap out of the water when hooked.

It is popular among the countries of the Indian subcontinent including peninsular India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Seer fish is a delicacy in several regions of India. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, this fish is called Vanjaram in Tamil and Telugu as well as Shermai among the Deccanis of Telangana and is usually the costliest variety available. In the Konkan Division of coastal Maharashtra, the Marathi word for the fish is Surmāi, while in Goan Konkani it is called Visvonn or Isvonn. In coastal Karnataka, especially in the erstwhile South Canara district, they are called Anjal. In Kerala, in the region of North Malabar it is called Ayakoora whereas in southern districts of the state, it is called Ney-meen. They can be broiled, fried, and also made as curry. In addition to being cooked and eaten when fresh, it is also used to make fish pickle, usually eaten as a condiment with rice.

A pelagic migratory fish inhabiting coastal waters at depths between 15-200 m; sometimes entering turbid estuarine waters; usually found in small schools (Ref. 9684). Feeds mainly on small schooling fishes (especially sardines and anchovies), squids and crustaceans (Ref. 9684). Fishing peaks in the months of Nov./Dec. in Eastern Thailand, late Dec./Jan. in the northern part of the Gulf and Jan./Mar. in its western part. Caught with midwater trawls, purse seines, bamboo stake traps, and by trolling (Ref. 9684). Marketed mainly fresh; also dried-salted (Ref. 9684), smoked and frozen (Ref. 9987). Small quantities of frozen product are exported to Europe and North America (Ref. 9987).