Home · Scomberesocidae · Mackerel-pike
Mackerel-pike (Cololabis saira) — Scomberesocidae

Mackerel-pike

Cololabis saira

The Mackerel-pike (Cololabis saira) is a saltwater fish of the family Scomberesocidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–230.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The Pacific saury is a slender, elongate pelagic fish of the family Scomberesocidae living in schools in the North Pacific. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with a blue-green back and small finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins, and a tapering, beak-like mouth. Adults usually live well offshore near the surface and feed on small crustaceans and fish eggs and larvae. When fleeing predators the fish can glide over the water surface. The species is very important for commercial fisheries and is widely eaten.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mackerel-pike?

The Mackerel-pike has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Mackerel-pike live?

The Mackerel-pike lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Mackerel-pike get?

The Mackerel-pike grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Mackerel-pike dangerous to humans?

No, the Mackerel-pike is harmless to humans.

Is the Mackerel-pike edible?

Yes, the Mackerel-pike is a highly prized food fish.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pacifische makreelgeep sourced
English name
Mackerel-pike verified
Scientific name
Cololabis saira
Family
Scomberesocidae
Other names
Mackerel pike; Pacific saury verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
230.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
4.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cololabis

More from the family Scomberesocidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →