Marine Life

Narrow-banded spanish mackerel

Galhi kurumas

Scomberomorus commerson

Scomberomorus commerson is rare in the Maldives, with few specimens being landed at the Malé fish market compared to the much more common wahoo. It is a migratory species that is common off the coasts of Sri Lanka and India, and the individuals that turn up in the Maldives may be strays from those countries.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 2.2 m
color: Deep blue-grey above, pale below. Numerous thin, wavy vertical bands on sides. Juveniles are frequently spotted.
order: Perciformes
family: Scombridae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/scomberomorus-commerson.png
habitat and biology: This species is pelagic and can be found in coastal waters at depths ranging from 15 to 200 meters. It typically forms small schools and is known to migrate along the shoreline. Its diet consists primarily of small schooling fish, such as sardines.
distinctive characters: This fish has two dorsal fins, the first with 15-18 spines and the second with 15-20 rays followed by 8-10 finlets. Its anal fin has 16-21 rays followed by 7-12 finlets, and its pectoral fin has 21-24 rays. Its lateral line is wavy but abruptly bent downward behind the second dorsal fin.