"Shrimp scad the slender yellowtail kingfish"

Type Description

Shrimp Scad has oblong and compressed body; dorsally and ventral profiles almost equally convex; pointed snout and straight part of lateral line almost entirely with scutes. Its body is silvery blue dorsally, silvery white ventrally and a distinct black spot on upper margin of opercle. This species occurs in coastal waters and feeds mainly on crustaceans and small fishes.

Habitat

The Shrimp scad is present in the Indo-Pacific region from the Red Sea and east Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, north to Japan and south to Australia. Observed in the Mediterranean Sea since it was recorded first off Palestine in 1927 as Caranx calla, it later extended to the Aegean Sea, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. It is also recorded in the Marmara Sea. The species is primarily an inshore inhabitant of reefs and over open sand patches, even in moderately turbid waters, often forming large schools. The species has in isolated circumstances also been found close to shore in surf zones in Japan and in estuarine waters in South Africa. The species is occasionally found in offshore environments, suggesting it can lead a pelagic lifestyle also.

Reproductive Information

Sexual maturity is attained by about 17 cm fork length and spawning is thought to occur in shallow coastal waters.

Lifecycle

Nutrition Information

The shrimp scad is known to be a migratory species, with records from India indicating the fish resides and feeds in the waters of Madras from September to May, before migrating elsewhere to spawn. The shrimp scad feeds on a variety of prey, with at least two shifts in diet occurring as the fish mature. Older individuals feed mainly on young fishes, crustaceans like decapods, ostracods, amphipods and cladocerans with minor amounts of nematodes, insect body parts and insect larvae taken. Fish within a length range of 150–199 mm and 240–319 mm showed a preference for young fishes, while those in the length range of 200–239 mm primarily consumed ostracods and other crustaceans. Based on the food items taken, the species is an active midwater feeder. There is less food consumed during breeding season, which is indicative of reduced feeding activity during that period.

General Impact Information

General Management Information

General Pathway Information

It has entered Turkey through the Suez Canal.

Notes