Micromesistius australis Norman 1937

Oviparous, sexes are separate (Ref. 205).

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): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 43 - 55; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 56 - 71; Vertebrae: 54 - 57

Invades shelf waters during summer and concentrating over the continental slope in winter. Forms schools (Ref. 9072). The young feed on euphausiids and amphipods and occasionally on copepods, cephalopods and small fish. Utilized in frozen blocks and as fishmeal. In Japan used as suerii (minced meat) for karaoke (fish cake) (Ref. 27363). Can be fried, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).

fisheries: highly commercial; price category: medium; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species