Overview
Close relative of the mackerel, with larger eyes and spots on flanks. Fast and gregarious pelagic fish.
Identification
Big eyesSpots on sidesLong pectoral finsForked tailDark horizontal linesPronounced lateral lineWide mouthThin teeth
- Body
- Slim and streamlined body with a conical head and large mouth.
- Colouration
- Blue-green back with a silver belly and irregular spots on the sides.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very pronounced
- Growth
- Fast, reaching maturity in a few years
Taxonomy
- Family
- Scombridae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Scomber scombrusScomber japonicusAuxis rocheiSarda sardaKatsuwonus pelamis
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea, reefs, pelagic
- Preferred bottom
- sand, rock, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Found in all temperate seas, especially the Mediterranean and along the eastern Atlantic coasts.
- Micro-habitat
- Often swims in open waters and is found near plankton schools for feeding.
Prefers relatively shallow and warm waters.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Azzorre Madeira CanariePeak
Af Atlantico Trop EPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- plankton, krill, small fish
- Secondary prey
- fish larvae, small crustaceans, squid
- Occasional prey
- jellyfish, annelids
- Feeding behaviour
- Feeds by filtering plankton while swimming or attacking small fish in schools.
- Natural predators
- tunas, dolphins, sharks, seabirds
Tends to feed mainly in surface waters.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Performs seasonal migrations to more temperate areas.
- Seasonal behaviour
- More active in summer when waters are warmer and food is abundant.
- Juveniles
- Youngsters tend to form smaller schools compared to adults.
- Adults
- Adults move in large, well-coordinated schools.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic, translucent small eggs.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are planktonic and develop rapidly within weeks.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-3 years
When to catch Chub mackerel
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, tramonto
Nightnotte
This species shows peak fishing activity in summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Rises to surface with mackerel schools.
Medium
Activity at mid-water.
High
Stays deep.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
6°COptimal zone: 11-18°C22°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
Open watersReef areasCoastal zonesWhere ocean currents surface
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
TrollingSpinningPole fishingLongline
Other applicable
Light JiggingSpinningShore JiggingTraina CostieraPesca A Mosca In MareSpinning UltraleggeroSpinning LeggeroSpinning VeloceStreamerBeach FishingBolentinoBolentino LeggeroSabiki RigsShore Jigging LeggeroSurfcastingSurfcasting Leggero
Recommended baits
SardinesAnchoviesSquidShrimp
Baits by pressure
Low
Metal jig leggero (20-40g)Piuma biancaSabiki fluorescenteSabiki standardCucchiaino ondulanteFeather jigMetal slug / Pilker
Medium
Metal jig leggero (20-40g)Piuma biancaSabiki fluorescente
High
Metal jig leggero (20-40g)Piuma biancaSabiki fluorescente
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Active and agile, tends to make quick bursts.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid damaging the scales.
- Release
- Support the body and release quickly into the water.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The record for lanzardo in Italian waters usually hovers around 3-4 kg, with larger specimens occasionally caught in the Mediterranean. A popular species among anglers, they concentrate in coastal waters and sometimes form significant schools.
- In the kitchen
- Used for canned preserves in oil, grilled, or stewed.
- Cultural notes
- Often found in markets and appreciated for its tasty flesh.
- Historical notes
- A species known and fished since ancient times in the Mediterranean.
