Blue mackerel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Blue mackerel | ||||||||||||||
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| Scomber australasicus Cuvier, 1832 |
The blue mackerel, Japanese mackerel, Pacific mackerel, slimy mackerel, or spotted chub mackerel, Scomber australasicus, a fish of the family Scombridae, is found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden, in surface waters down to 200 m (660 ft). In Japanese, it is known as goma saba (胡麻鯖 sesame mackerel). Its length is between 30 and 55 cm (12 and 20 in), and weight over a kilogram (2 lbs).
[edit] Fishing
Known as a voracious and indiscriminate feeder, Pacific blue mackerel will devour live anchovy, engulf dead cut bait, and strike readily on lures and other flies. When schooled and in a feeding frenzy, they will strike at non-food items such as cigarette butts and even bare hooks. While relatively small in size, pound for pound mackerel score high for their fighting ability.
[edit] As food
While Mackerel are often used as sushi "Saba", they are a strong tasting meat which is best for consumption if smoked, bar-b-cued, or boiled.
[edit] References
- Scomber australasicus (TSN 172415). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 18 April 2006.
- "Scomber australasicus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. March 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
- California Department of Fish & Game, "California Finfish and Shellfish Identification Book" (University of California Press 2007)ISBN 0-9722291-1-6
