Decapterus punctatus (Cuvier, 1829)
Round scad
photo by Tardy, H.

Family:  Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos), subfamily: Caranginae
Max. size:  30 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 300.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 100 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada (Ref. 7251) southward through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Morocco to South Africa, including the Madeira, Canary, Cape Verde, Ascension and St. Helena islands (Ref. 7097).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 30-34; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 26-29. Greenish above, whitish below; adults with 3-1 small black spots on curved LL; opercle with small black spot (Ref. 3197).
Biology:  Adults inhabit neritic waters, often near sandy beaches (Ref. 5217). A shoaling species, generally near the bottom (Ref. 27121). They feed on planktonic invertebrates, primarily copepods, but also on gastropod larvae, ostracods and pteropods (Ref. 3277). Spawning occurs well offshore year-round (Ref. 26938). Eggs are pelagic (Ref. 4233). A good food fish (Ref. 9626). Caught commercially and used mainly for bait.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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