blue mackerel
Scomber australasicus
Mackerel of the Pacific coastal and oceanic waters, which appears in Mexico, forms schools, is caught with nets and is used as bait.
Also called: cavalinha-azul, macarela azul, caballa pintoja, blue mackerel
- maximum
- 50 cm
- record/max.
- 1.4 kg
- depth
- 87–200 m
who is the blue mackerel
The blue mackerel is a fish of the family Scombridae, a relative of the Pacific mackerel, living in coastal and oceanic waters, from 87 m deep and below. It forms schools by size, which may include jacks and Pacific sardines. In Latin America it occurs in Mexico, including Socorro Island. It reaches 50 cm and 1.4 kg, and the common size is 30 cm. It feeds mainly on copepods and other small crustaceans, and adults also eat small fish and squid. It is caught with purse seines and is often used as bait.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the blue mackerel; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Spindle-shaped body, with narrow, oblique lines that form a zigzag on the back. The belly is pearly white, with fine, wavy, broken lines. The body is covered in small scales and has no well-developed armored plate at the front. It belongs to the same genus as the Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), which also lives in the region, and the pattern of lines on the back and belly is the main feature.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America, the species appears in Mexico, near Socorro Island, in coastal and oceanic Pacific waters. Outside the region, it occurs from the Red Sea and Japan to Australia and New Zealand, and in Hawaii.
Habitat: Coastal and oceanic waters, from 87 m deep and below.
rules for the blue mackerel
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Poses no danger to anglers. Handle with wet hands and carefully release the specimens you are not keeping.
in the kitchen
Sold fresh, dried and salted, smoked, canned and frozen.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00891, b = 3.06; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Scomber australasicus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Scomber australasicusNames by country and language.
