Scomberomorus sinensis (Lacepède, 1800)
Chinese seerfish
photo by FAO

Family:  Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos), subfamily: Scombrinae
Max. size:  247 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 131.0 g
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range - 10 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Akita, Honshu, Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea and China south to Vietnam and Cambodia where it enters the Mekong River.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 16-19; Vertebrae: 41-42. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Body covered with small scales. Lateral line abruptly curving down below first dorsal fin. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Swim bladder present. Sides silvery with large round, indistinct spots in two poorly defined rows in adults. Juveniles with saddle-like blotches extending down to about middle of body.
Biology:  Travels 300 km up the Mekong River, above Phnom Penh but believed to reproduce only in marine waters. Feeds on fishes and swims well upstream river because of easy food availability (Ref. 12693). No information on biology available (Ref. 9684). It is a prized food fish in Japan and probably in China as well. Utilized fresh, dried or salted and smoked; consumed pan-fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9987).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 01 June 2022 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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