If you are interested in learning about different species of fish, then you are going to love reading about the Blue Mackerel. The Blue Mackerel (Scomber australasicus) is a fish widespread in the Pacific Ocean. It is found in the waters of Australia (especially New South Wales), Japan, and many other countries in huge numbers. It belongs to the order Scombriformes of the Animalia kingdom. This fish found in Australia, and other countries, is a famous delicacy all over the world. So, this fish faces the threat of excessive fishing. However, even after a high fishing rate, their population has remained pretty stable. The reason behind this stable condition is their high reproduction rate. Apart from overfishing, the fish is facing the threat of habitat loss as well. The fish has a bluish-green coloration in its upperparts and a pale silverish or pink belly. It has a round body and sharp eyes. However, the most amusing part of the fish’s body is its forked anal fin.Keep on reading to learn more and more about the Blue Mackerel. You can also check out black ghost knifefish and Royal Gramma to learn more about other amusing fishes.
Fun Blue Mackerel Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, smaller fish, fish eggs, squids, krill
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 70000 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.5-1.5 lb (0.2-0.7 kg)
How long are they? 7.9-11.8 in (20-30 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Blue-green, silver
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Fishing
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical Water, Temperate Water, Subtropical Water
Locations Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf Of Oman, Gulf Of Aden
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Scomber
Class Actinopterygii
Family Scombridae
Blue Mackerel Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a Blue Mackerel?Blue Mackerel is a type of fish of the order Scombriformes. It belongs to the Phylum Chordata.What class of animal does a Blue Mackerel belong to?Blue Mackerel belongs to the Actinopterygii class of the Animalia kingdom. It is a member of the family Scombridae and genus Scomber. The scientific name of this fish is Scomber australasicus.How many Blue Mackerel are there in the world?The distribution range of Blue Mackerel is pretty huge, and it is quite widespread in its natural habitat. The exact number of Blue Mackerel living in this world is not known. However, it is known that this fish has a healthy population. Moreover, the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN has stated that the population trend of Scomber australasicus has remained stable over the years.Where does a Blue Mackerel live?The Blue Mackerel range of distribution is quite huge. They are widespread in the Pacific Ocean. It is a resident of Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also found in the eastern waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Indo-West Pacific and the Red Sea are also home to these fishes. Blue Mackerel also lives in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Gulf of Aden.What is a Blue Mackerel’s habitat?The Blue Mackerel habitat is basically the tropical, subtropical, and temperature waters of the Pacific. It is generally found at a depth of 656.2 ft (200 m) underwater in Australia, Japan, and other places from its distribution range. The preferred temperature of this fish is 50℉ (10℃), so it lives in the areas that have their preferred temperature.Who does Blue Mackerel live with?Blue Mackerels are quite a social species of fish. They live in large groups or schools and are spotted doing daily activities together. This mackerel is even known to school with other species of mackerels.How long does a Blue Mackerel live?The average lifespan of Blue Mackerel is somewhere between one to three years. However, some of the fishes of this species can live a healthy life up to seven years.How do they reproduce?The spawning season of this species in southern Australia falls between November and April. In comparison, the species in eastern Australia spawns from July to October. They swim to a higher level to spawn. A female mackerel can produce up to 70000 eggs every time they spawn. This is the reason why they can recover quickly even after heavy fishing. The larvae float around in the open sea till they mature.What is their conservation status?The International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN has listed Blue Mackerel (Scomber australasicus) as the Least Concern in their Red List of Threatened Species. The population trend has also remained quite stable over the years. Even though these species of fish face a huge threat of habitat loss and fishing, they reproduce in huge numbers that keep the population stable. So, it can be concluded that the population of Blue Mackerel is not at any risk as of now.Blue Mackerel Fun FactsWhat do Blue Mackerel look like?Blue Mackerel (Scomber australasicus) has a roundish body with bluish-green upperparts. The belly has a pale silver or pinkish color and is spotted. The upper side of the fish has unique dark bars. The tail of this fish becomes comparatively narrow after the second dorsal fin due to the shape of the fish. Apart from the second dorsal fin, they have an anal fin. They have five to six fork-like finlets.*Please note that this is an image of a Horse Mackerel, not a Blue Mackerel. If you have an image of a Blue Mackerel please let us know at [email protected]How cute are they?The bluish-green coloration of the fish is quite attractive. However, it cannot be characterized as cute. The forked tail and sharp eyes, along with its body length, give the fish an intimidating look.How do they communicate?Most fishes communicate through motion and gesture. A school of fish is often noticed to synchronize their movements. This is one of the ways they use to communicate. They also send signals in the form of vibrations to warn each other of potential danger or to call potential mates. It can be assumed that Blue Mackerel use similar methods to communicate.How big is a Blue Mackerel?The Blue Mackerel has an average length of 7.9-11.8 in (20-30 cm). However, it can grow up to a length of 25.6 in (65 cm). When compared to a Spanish Mackerel (a fish from the same family), it is much shorter in length. However, the length of this species of fish is almost the same as a chub mackerel.How fast can a Blue Mackerel swim?Mackerels are known to be great swimmers. They can swim quite fast with the help of their forked tail and dorsal fin. They are known to cover a distance of about 164 ft (50 m) in 10 seconds. So, it can be assumed that the speed of the Blue Mackerel is similar.How much does a Blue Mackerel weigh?The average body weight of a Blue Mackerel is within a range of 0.5-1.5 lb (0.2-0.7 kg). Sometimes, the bodyweight of this species of fish can reach up to 3.3 lb (1.5 kg). The bodyweight of the Blue Mackerel is much less than that of an Atlantic Mackerel.What are the male and female names of the species?There is no separate name for male and female of the species. They are simply referred to as male Blue Mackerel and female Blue Mackerel.What would you call a baby Blue Mackerel?Babies of all fishes are referred to as fry. So, the baby Blue Mackerel will be referred to as the same.What do they eat?Blue Mackerel follows a carnivorous diet. A school of this species is seen to feed on plankton and crustaceans present in their distribution range. They also eat mollusks and prey on other fishes that are smaller in size. Eggs of other fishes are also a part of their diet. Blue Mackerel is occasionally noticed to feed on squids and krills.Are they aggressive?Blue Mackerel is a strong and tough species of fish. While fishing, it is noticed that they put up a great fight and show aggressive behavior to defend themselves. However, cases of this mackerel showing aggression unless otherwise provoked are very rare.Would they make a good pet?The Blue Mackerel is not a very popular pet. However, it can be kept in captivity with proper care. They are often found in fisheries.Did you know…The Blue Mackerel (Scomber australasicus) has been given many interesting names. Among them, the Pacific mackerel is the most common one. Apart from Pacific Mackerel, it is also known as Japanese Mackerel, Spotted Chub Mackerel, and Slimy Mackerel.Different types of MackerelDifferent types of mackerels belonging to the Scombridae family are Atlantic horse mackerel, Wahoo Mackerel, King Mackerel, Painted Mackerel, Atlantic Mackerel, chub Mackerel, Indian Mackerel, Pacific jack Mackerel, Spanish jack Mackerel, short Mackerel, and Blue Mackerel. Among them, the King Mackerel has the biggest body length. The chub mackerel has similar features to the Blue Mackerel.Can we eat them?Blue Mackerel is a popular delicacy all over the world. It is known for having a strong flavor. The skin of this fish is quite thin, which gives the fish an enjoyable texture. It can be grilled, boiled, and poached according to taste. Barbequing a Blue Mackerel is also quite common. Apart from being a favorite fish of people all over the world, the Blue Mackerel is also a cat’s favorite fish.However, the popularity of Blue Mackerel is not only because of their taste. The fish is known to be rich in vitamin B, selenium, isoleucine, tryptophan, and lysine. People who have rheumatoid arthritis are often advised to make this fish a part of their diet. It also helps in controlling blood pressure and maintaining good immunity. Apart from that, the consumption of Blue Mackerel is said to reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, and several heart diseases. Many people include this fish in their diet as it also helps in weight reduction.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Mandarinfish and Harlequin Rasbora pages.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable blue mackerel coloring pages.
What type of animal is a Blue Mackerel?
Blue Mackerel is a type of fish of the order Scombriformes. It belongs to the Phylum Chordata.
Fun Blue Mackerel Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, smaller fish, fish eggs, squids, krill
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 70000 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.5-1.5 lb (0.2-0.7 kg)
How long are they? 7.9-11.8 in (20-30 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Blue-green, silver
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Fishing
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical Water, Temperate Water, Subtropical Water
Locations Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf Of Oman, Gulf Of Aden
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Scomber
Class Actinopterygii
Family Scombridae
Fun Blue Mackerel Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, smaller fish, fish eggs, squids, krill
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 70000 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.5-1.5 lb (0.2-0.7 kg)
How long are they? 7.9-11.8 in (20-30 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Blue-green, silver
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Fishing
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical Water, Temperate Water, Subtropical Water
Locations Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf Of Oman, Gulf Of Aden
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Scomber
Class Actinopterygii
Family Scombridae
Fun Blue Mackerel Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, smaller fish, fish eggs, squids, krill
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 70000 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.5-1.5 lb (0.2-0.7 kg)
How long are they? 7.9-11.8 in (20-30 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Blue-green, silver
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Fishing
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical Water, Temperate Water, Subtropical Water
Locations Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf Of Oman, Gulf Of Aden
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Scomber
Class Actinopterygii
Family Scombridae
Fun Blue Mackerel Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, smaller fish, fish eggs, squids, krill
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 70000 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.5-1.5 lb (0.2-0.7 kg)
How long are they? 7.9-11.8 in (20-30 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Blue-green, silver
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Fishing
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical Water, Temperate Water, Subtropical Water
Locations Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf Of Oman, Gulf Of Aden
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Scomber
Class Actinopterygii
Family Scombridae
What do they prey on? Plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, smaller fish, fish eggs, squids, krill
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 70000 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.5-1.5 lb (0.2-0.7 kg)
How long are they? 7.9-11.8 in (20-30 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Blue-green, silver
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Fishing
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical Water, Temperate Water, Subtropical Water
Locations Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf Of Oman, Gulf Of Aden
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Scomber
Class Actinopterygii
Family Scombridae
What do they prey on? Plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, smaller fish, fish eggs, squids, krill
What do they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? 70000 eggs
How much do they weigh? 0.5-1.5 lb (0.2-0.7 kg)
How long are they? 7.9-11.8 in (20-30 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Blue-green, silver
Skin Type Scales
What were their main threats? Habitat Loss, Fishing
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
What do they prey on?
Plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, smaller fish, fish eggs, squids, krill
What do they eat?
Carnivore
Average litter size?
70000 eggs
How much do they weigh?
0.5-1.5 lb (0.2-0.7 kg)
How long are they?
7.9-11.8 in (20-30 cm)
How tall are they?
N/A
What do they look like?
Blue-green, silver
Skin Type
Scales
What were their main threats?
Habitat Loss, Fishing
What is their conservation status?
Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Tropical Water, Temperate Water, Subtropical Water
Locations Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf Of Oman, Gulf Of Aden
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Scomber
Class Actinopterygii
Family Scombridae
Where you’ll find them?
Tropical Water, Temperate Water, Subtropical Water
Locations
Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf Of Oman, Gulf Of Aden
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Scomber
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Scomber
Class Actinopterygii
Family Scombridae
