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Queensland school mackerel

The Queensland school mackerel (Scomberomorus queenslandicus), is a species of fish in the family Scombridae and is part of the genus scomberomorus, the spanish mackerels. It is found in tropical waters of the western Pacific, largely confined to inshore coastal waters of southern Papua New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia, from Shark Bay and Onslow, Western Australia to Sydney, New South Wales. It also known as the school mackerel, doggie mackerel, or shiny mackerel.

Queensland school mackerel commonly occur in waters down to 100 m (330 ft), usually to 30 m (98 ft), in depth. Specimens have been recorded at up to 100 cm (39 in) in length, and weighing up to 12.2 kg (27 lb).[2]

It is popular in recreational fishing and is prized as table fare.[3]

Biology

The Queensland School Mackerel resembles other Spanish mackerels, with an elongated and highly compressed body, with a deeply forked tail. Like other scrombridaes, it lacks a swim bladder.

The coloration of the first is a blue-ish green, with the stomach being lighter in color. The front of the first dorsal fin, as well as the very end of it is black. It displays a spotted pattern, with large black to faint grey colored blotches either throughout the body or only in small patches.

The Queensland school mackerel can be distinguished from the Australian spotted mackerel (Scomberomorus munroi) as the spots are considerably larger.

See also

References

  1. ^ Collette, B.; Di Natale, A.; Dooley, J.; et al. (2011). "Scomberomorus queenslandicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T154946A4674361. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T154946A4674361.en.
  2. ^ "Scomberomorus queenslandicus summary page". FishBase. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  3. ^ Dianne J. Bray & S. Schultz, Scomberomorus queenslandicus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 20 Mar 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2544