With many pinbones running along the second dorsal fin and reaching the anal fin, and a long, tough posterior part of the body ending in a deeply forked caudal fin.

Dorsal fins are relatively separated from each other, the first part with nine radii. Mackerel lacks natatory bladder.

Bright greenish blue back, marked by several wavy lines. Upper part of the head is blackish blue. Pale green sides with purple and silvery glints, silvery belly. Grey fins and pectoral fins with dark background.

Gregarious. Form large shoals, especially in coastal areas. Generally found on the surface or very near to it, although where there is danger, as they have no bladder, can swiftly submerge down to 300 m.

Highly migratory. Feeds of anchovy, sardine and small fish.

Caught by Purse-seining, surface trolling and driftnet.