Atlantic horse-mackerel
D-Stöcker, Pferdemakrele, Bastardmakrele, Holzmakrele; GB-Horse mackerel; DK-Hestemakrel; PL-Ostrobok; LT-Paprastoji stauridė; EST-Harilik stauriid; RU-Обыкновенная ставрида; FIN-Piikkimakrilli; S-Taggmakrill
Characters
1) Big, scute-like scales along lateral line.
2) Black spot on hind upper edge of operculum.
3) The first three spines distant from the anal fin.
●) Colouration silver shining, back slightly darker.
Usually 20 to 30 cm, max. 40 cm length.
Similar species
Atlantic mackerel - small finlets after dorsal and anal fins; back blue-green with dark stripes.
Derbio - free spines instead of first dorsal fin.
Biology
Lives in big swarms, during summer near the coast. Reaches sexual maturity with about 3 to 4 years. Females lay up to 130.000 eggs; young individuals are often hiding under the umbrella-like shields of jelly fish.Diet
Feeds on fish, crustaceans and small squid.Importance
In northern Europe processed to fish meal; in southern Europe food fish (fresh, smoked or conserved in tins).Trachurus trachurus
