CARANGIDAE


Decapterus macrosoma, 17.8 cm SL
(from North Sulawesi, Indonesia; photo by Seishi Kimura)


Decapterus macrosoma
Bleeker, 1851
Shortfin Scad

D VIII + I, 33-39 (including finlet); A II + I, 27-31 (including finlet); GR 10-12 + 34-38 = 43-50; V 10+14.

Body elongate, slender, cylindrical. Adipose eyelid well developed and completely covering eye except for a vertical slit centered on pupil; posterior end of maxilla slightly concave above, rounded and produced below. Shoulder girdle (cleithrum) margin with 2 small papillae. A single detached finlet in dorsal and anal fins. Predorsal scaled area not reaching to level of center of eye; straight part of lateral line with scutes (24-40) posteriorly. Color: body silvery blue-geenish gray dorsally, silvery white ventrally; a black spot posteriorly on opercle. Size: maximum length about 35 cm. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-Pacific, from eastern coast of Africa to Hawaii, and eastern Pacific Ocean, from Gulf of California to Peru. Remarks: pelagic species, found along reef slopes adjacent to deep waters. Feeds mainly on planktonic crustaceans and larval fishes. Marketed fresh, dried, or salted.