Indian mackerel facts for kids

The Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) is a type of mackerel, a fish found in the ocean. It belongs to the Scombridae family, which includes other fast-swimming fish like tuna. You can commonly find this fish in the Indian Ocean and the West Pacific areas, along with the seas around them. It is a very important fish for food, especially in South and South-East Asian cooking. It is even known as the "National fish of India."

People in different places call the Indian mackerel by many names. For example, it's called 'Kembung' in Indonesia. In Marathi, it's known as Bangda. In Malayalam, people call it Aiyla. In Tamil, you might hear it called Kumula or Kanaangeluthi. And in Tulu, Konkani, and Kannada, it's known as Bangude.

Where Indian Mackerel Live

Indian mackerel love warm waters. They are mostly found in the tropical parts of the Indian Ocean and the western areas of the Pacific Ocean. This includes countries like India, Indonesia, Thailand, and many others in that region. They often swim in large groups, called schools, near the surface of the water.

What Indian Mackerel Eat

These fish are active hunters. They mainly eat tiny plants and animals that float in the water, known as plankton. They use a method called ram feeding. This means they swim with their mouths open, pushing water through their gills to filter out the small food particles. It's like a living filter!

Why This Fish is Important

The Indian mackerel is a very popular fish for eating. It's caught by many fishing boats and sold in markets across Asia. People enjoy it fresh, dried, or fried. Because it's so widely eaten, it's an important part of the food supply and economy in many countries.

Images for kids

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  School of Indian mackerel ram feeding on macroplanton

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  Indian mackerel

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  Indian mackerel, cleaned and scored and its roe. The heads have been removed.

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  Fried Indian mackerel