Scombrids are, for the most part, pelagic (open-ocean) fishes living in tropical and subtropical seas. Some species make seasonal forays into cool temperate or cold waters. Some, especially the smaller mackerels, remain near coastlines, while many others roam deeper waters. They are a marine family, although some groups occur in brackish water, and one normally marine species, Scomberomorus sinensis, has been found in fresh water 300 km up the Mekong River. Many groups within Scombridae tend to remain near the surface and over the continental shelf.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; saltwater or marine ; freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: pelagic ; coastal ; brackish water