Overview
Similar to horse mackerel but stockier, with pronounced lateral scutes. Common in Mediterranean, often in mixed schools.
Identification
Rigid lateral scutesArched lateral lineLarge eyesProtrusible mouthLong pectoral fins
- Body
- Similar to the Atlantic horse mackerel but more stocky, with a streamlined body and pronounced lateral scutes.
- Colouration
- Silvery with blue hues, darkened lateral scutes, transparent fins with dark edges.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/Not noticeable
- Growth
- Moderate, growing steadily to maximum size
Taxonomy
- Family
- Carangidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Trachurus trachurusTrachurus japonicusTrachurus murphyiTrachurus novaezelandiaeTrachurus symmetricus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea
- Preferred bottom
- sand, rock, gravel
- Geographic distribution
- Common in the Mediterranean, also found in the eastern Atlantic up to the coasts of Norway.
- Micro-habitat
- Often found in schools, near the coast or in open sea, at various depths.
Prefers coastal areas and open sea, moving according to food availability.
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
- copepods, planktonic crustaceans, small fish
- Secondary prey
- mollusk larvae, annelids, other marine invertebrates
- Occasional prey
- polychaetes, jellyfish
- Feeding behaviour
- Primarily feeds at night, catching moving pelagic prey.
- Natural predators
- tuna, dolphins, seabirds, sharks
Shows a preference for pelagic prey, adapting to seasonal availability.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- Non-migratory, with limited movements to follow food sources.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Approaches the coast during warmer periods; tends to inhabit deeper waters in winter.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles form smaller schools near the surface.
- Adults
- Adults are found in large schools, sometimes associated with similar species.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- June, July, August
- Spawning depth
- between 50 and 150 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, small in size, suspended in the water column.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are transparent and develop quickly, feeding on zooplankton.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-3 years
When to catch Mediterranean horse 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
On surface, active schools.
Medium
Normal activity at mid-water.
High
Deeper and less reactive.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
6°COptimal zone: 11-18°C22°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
piers and harborsdocksartificial reefssandy areas
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
light trollingnight bottom fishingdrift fishingshore spinning
Other applicable
SpinningSabiki RigsShore JiggingSpinning LeggeroSpinning VeloceBeach FishingBolognese LeggeraPesca A GalleggianteSpinning UltraleggeroSurfcasting Leggero
Recommended baits
shrimpsardinessquid stripssea worms
Baits by pressure
Low
Piuma biancaSabiki fluorescenteSabiki standardFeather jigJig head + softbaitMetal jig leggero (20-40g)Softbait piccolo / LRF
Medium
Sugarello vivoAcciuga vivaGambero morto / Gambero
High
Bigattino
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Puts up moderate resistance and moves quickly side-to-side.
- Handling
- Handle with gloves to avoid the sharp lateral scutes.
- Release
- Release quickly into the water to reduce stress, preferably using a barbless hook.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle world record for this species is 2 kg caught in the Mediterranean. Common in sport fishing, especially in the Adriatic Sea, where specimens over 1 kg can be found.
- In the kitchen
- Commonly used in mixed fry and fish soup, valued for its flavorful meat.
- Cultural notes
- Symbol of abundance in many Mediterranean communities.
- Historical notes
- Traditionally caught with trawl nets in the Mediterranean since ancient times.
