Monterrey Spanish mackerel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monterrey Spanish mackerel |
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The Monterrey Spanish mackerel (scientific name: Scomberomorus concolor) is a type of fish that lives in the ocean. It belongs to the Scombridae family, which includes other fast-swimming fish like tuna. This special fish is found only in Mexico, mainly in the northern part of the Gulf of California. People catch it for food, but its numbers are going down. Because of this, the IUCN says it is a "vulnerable species". This means it could become endangered if we don't protect it.
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What the Monterrey Spanish Mackerel Looks Like
The Monterrey Spanish mackerel is a sleek fish. It is not as deep-bodied as a bonito, which is another type of fish it is sometimes confused with. Its back is a shiny steely blue color, and its sides are silver.
Fins and Size
This fish has small pectoral fins located near its gill covers. Its top fin, called the dorsal fin, has 15 to 18 sharp spines and 16 to 20 soft rays. The fin underneath, called the anal fin, has 19 to 23 soft rays. A line along its side, called the lateral line, curves down towards its tail.
Male Monterrey Spanish mackerel do not have spots. However, the females have two rows of brown spots on their bodies. This fish can grow to about 77 centimeters (30 inches) long. The heaviest ones can weigh up to 3.6 kilograms (8 pounds).
Where the Monterrey Spanish Mackerel Lives
In the past, the Monterrey Spanish mackerel probably lived in a large area. This included the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. It was likely one big population of fish.
Changing Habitats
More recently, there were two separate groups of these fish. One group lived in the Gulf of California. The other lived along the coasts of California, going as far south as the Mexican border. The group in the open sea would swim north to Monterey Bay in September. Then, in November, they would move south to spend winter around Catalina Island and in the Santa Barbara Channel.
Sadly, the area where this fish lives has become much smaller. The group that lived in the open sea has disappeared. Now, the Monterrey Spanish mackerel is found only in one area: the northern part of the Gulf of California.
Why the Monterrey Spanish Mackerel is Vulnerable
The Monterrey Spanish mackerel is often caught by fishermen along with another fish called the Pacific sierra (Scomberomorus sierra). Both fish are sold together as "sierra." This makes it hard for scientists to know exactly how many Monterrey Spanish mackerel are left.
Population Decline
Experts believe that the total number of Monterrey Spanish mackerel has dropped a lot. This is mainly because too many are being caught. They also expect the population to go down by another 40% in the next ten years. There are no signs that people are catching fewer of these fish. Because of this, the IUCN has listed the Monterrey Spanish mackerel as a "vulnerable species." This means it is at high risk of becoming endangered in the future.
See also
- Mackerel as food
