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Arabian scad (Trachurus indicus) — Carangidae

Arabian scad

Trachurus indicus
Family: Carangidae

The Arabian scad (Trachurus indicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Carangidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–400.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Arabian scad is a horse mackerel or scad (Carangidae) from coastal and open water of the northern Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a slender, streamlined, silvery body with a row of hardened keeled scutes along the lateral line and large eyes. As a fast, schooling fish it swims in large groups and hunts small zooplankton, shrimp and small fish. It is an important commercial food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arabian scad?

The Arabian scad has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Arabian scad live?

The Arabian scad lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Arabian scad get?

The Arabian scad grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Arabian scad dangerous to humans?

No, the Arabian scad is harmless to humans.

Is the Arabian scad edible?

Yes, the Arabian scad is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Arabische horsmakreel sourced
English name
Arabian scad sourced
Scientific name
Trachurus indicus
Family
Carangidae
Other names
Arabian scad verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Trachurus

More from the family Carangidae

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