Biology

Occurs in open waters but always remains close to the shoreline. The young may enter bays and harbors. Forms multi-species schools by size with other scombrid species comprising from 100 to over 5,000 individuals. A highly opportunistic predator feeding indiscriminately on small fishes, especially on clupeoids and atherinids; also on squids, crustaceans and zooplankton (Ref. 9684). Generally marketed canned and frozen; also utilized dried, salted, smoked (Ref. 9684) and fresh (Ref. 9987).