Trachurus capensis Castelnau, 1861
Cape horse mackerel
photo by FAO

Family:  Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos), subfamily: Caranginae
Max. size:  60 cm FL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 500 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Gulf of Guinea to South Africa. Bianchi et. al. 1993 notes 'Smith-Vaniz (1992, pers. comm.) does not believe that Trachurus capensis is a valid species but admits that an adequate series of this species along the coast of Africa are not available'.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Adults are found mainly over the continental shelf, often over sand bottoms (Ref. 27121). Shoals rise to feed in surface waters at night and found close to the bottom during the day (Ref. 27121). Juveniles feed mainly on copepods while adults prey on fish and a wide range of invertebrates (Ref. 27121).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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