Atlantic Mackerel
ExploreFish
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
The Atlantic Mackerel is a fast and sleek fish that swims in the ocean. They have beautiful greenish-blue stripes on their backs!
Habitat: Open ocean
Appearance
The Atlantic Mackerel has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body with an iridescent blue-green back and wavy, dark stripes. Its sides are silvery, fading to a white belly. This coloring provides excellent camouflage in open water.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopteriOrderScombriformesFamilyScombridaeGenusScomber
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Atlantic Mackerel must swim constantly to breathe, or they'll suffocate!
Mackerel eggs just float around in the ocean, drifting wherever currents take them!
These fish have very red blood, packed with oxygen for their speedy swimming!
They don't have a swim bladder, letting them change ocean depth super fast!
Special abilities
Ability
Schooling Shield
Atlantic Mackerel forms massive schools that confuse predators and increase their chances of survival.
Ability
Ocean Camouflage
Atlantic Mackerel has a dark back and light belly (countershading) that helps them blend in with the ocean from above and below.
Ability
Endurance Traveler
Atlantic Mackerel can migrate thousands of kilometers because they are built for long, efficient swims to feeding and spawning grounds.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-50 cm
- Weight
- 0.5-1.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-20 years
- Swim Speed
- 75 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 200 m
- Water Type
- Saltwater
Diet & Feeding
They are agile hunters, mostly eating small fish and tiny ocean creatures like crustaceans.
Age differences: Young mackerel eat tiny plankton, while adults hunt small fish and larger crustaceans.
Primary Foods
- Copepods
- Krill
- Amphipods
- Sand eels
- Herring
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
eaten by
Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus thynnus
A fast predator of mackerel in the open ocean.
eaten by
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanus
Diving seabird that preys on surface-dwelling mackerel schools.
eats
Copepod
Calanus finmarchicus
Primary food source for young and adult mackerel.
eaten by
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
Filter-feeding whale that engulfs schools of mackerel.
eaten by
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
A common demersal predator of mackerel.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Boston MackerelMackerelScomber scombrus
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Atlantic Mackerel?
30-50 cm
How much does Atlantic Mackerel weigh?
0.5-1.5 kg
How long does Atlantic Mackerel live?
10-20 years
What does Atlantic Mackerel eat?
They are agile hunters, mostly eating small fish and tiny ocean creatures like crustaceans.
How fast can Atlantic Mackerel swim?
75 km/h
Where is Atlantic Mackerel usually found?
Open ocean
How does Atlantic Mackerel hunt?
Pursuit
How deep can Atlantic Mackerel go?
200 m
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