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Scombriformes (Mackerels) >
Stromateidae (Butterfishes)
Etymology: Stromateus: Greek, stromatos = a fish flattened body with a lot of colours (Stromateus sp.) (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Linnaeus.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 10 - 70 m (Ref. 2683). Subtropical; 48°N - 34°S, 18°W - 36°E
Eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay where rare (Ref. 6561) and the Mediterranean southward to the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 50.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 6561); common length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 26999)
Dorsal soft rays (total): 42 - 50; Anal soft rays: 33 - 38. Blue to brownish in color and darker spots dorsally, silver to whitish ventrally; juveniles with vertical bars on body and small black pelvic fins (Ref. 4410).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.
Found over continental shelves (Ref. 6561). Young are often found associated with pelagic medusae (Ref. 6561). Form large shoals (Ref. 27121). Feeds on small fishes and zooplankton, also medusae (Ref. 6561).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Haedrich, R.L., 1986. Stromateidae. p. 1192-1193. In P.J.P. Whitehead, M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J. Nielsen and E. Tortonese (eds.) Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. UNESCO, Paris. Vol 3. (Ref. 6561)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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