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Apri l'appDescrizione
Decapterus punctatus, commonly known as the Round Scad or Sugarello, is a pelagic schooling fish belonging to the family Carangidae. It is characterized by its elongated, fusiform body, typical of fast-swimming pelagic species. This species plays a significant ecological role as a forage fish, forming large schools that are preyed upon by a wide array of larger predatory fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. It is also of considerable commercial importance in many parts of its range, particularly for bait and human consumption.
Caratteristiche fisiche
- Forma del corpo
- torpedo
- Colorazione
- Dorsal side is typically iridescent blue-green to olive-green, fading to silvery-white on the flanks and belly. A small, distinct black spot is often present on the upper operculum near the pectoral fin origin. The caudal fin is often dusky or yellowish.
- Tipo di squame
- cycloid
- Posizione della bocca
- terminal
- Caratteristiche distintive
- Elongated, fusiform body, slightly compressed laterally., A series of 9-10 finlets posterior to the dorsal and anal fins., Lateral line with a distinct arch over the pectoral fin, becoming straight posteriorly., Posterior part of the lateral line armed with a series of scutes (bony plates), though less prominent than in some other carangids., Adipose eyelid well developed, covering most of the eye., Small, terminal mouth with minute teeth.
- Pinna dorsale
- Two dorsal fins; the first with 8 spines, the second with 1 spine and 29-33 soft rays, followed by 9-10 finlets.
- Pinna caudale
- Deeply forked caudal fin, characteristic of fast-swimming pelagic fish.
- Pinna pettorale
- Relatively short, falcate pectoral fins.
- Pinne distintive
- Anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 25-29 soft rays, also followed by 9-10 finlets. Pelvic fins are small.
Consigli per l'identificazione
Body Shape and Finlets
Look for the elongated, torpedo-shaped body and the distinctive series of 9-10 small finlets behind both the dorsal and anal fins. This is a key characteristic of the genus Decapterus.
Lateral Line
Observe the lateral line. It will have a pronounced arch over the pectoral fin and then straighten towards the caudal peduncle, where it is armed with a series of small, but noticeable, scutes.
Opercular Spot
Check for a small, dark (often black) spot on the upper part of the operculum (gill cover) near the origin of the pectoral fin. This spot is usually present and can aid in identification.
Adipose Eyelid
Note the well-developed adipose eyelid that covers a significant portion of the eye, leaving only a central slit for vision.
Habitat
- Tipo di acqua
- saltwater
- Profondità
- Typically found in coastal pelagic waters, from the surface down to depths of approximately 100 meters (330 feet), occasionally deeper.
- Ambiente
- Neritic pelagic, schooling over continental shelves and slopes, often associated with reefs, wrecks, and other structures. They are also found in open ocean environments.
- Areale geografico
- Widespread in the Atlantic Ocean, including the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia, Canada, to Brazil, and the eastern Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay to Angola. Also found in the Mediterranean Sea and occasionally in the Indian Ocean (e.g., Red Sea via Suez Canal).
Informazioni sull'acquario
- Livello di cura: expert
- Temperamento: peaceful
- Dieta: carnivore
- Dimensione minima della vasca: 1000_gallons
- Temperatura: 20-28°C (68-82°F)
- Livello di pH: 8.1-8.4
- Durezza: 8-12 dKH
- Compatibilità: Best kept in large, species-specific tanks or with other fast-swimming, non-aggressive pelagic species of similar size. Not suitable for typical home aquariums due to size and schooling requirements.
- Requisiti speciali: Requires extremely large tanks with strong filtration and ample open swimming space. Prone to stress in confined environments. Schooling behavior necessitates keeping multiple individuals. Diet must be varied and rich in protein, mimicking their natural zooplankton and small invertebrate prey.
Informazioni in natura
- Stato di conservazione: least concern
- Stagionalità: Present year-round in tropical and subtropical waters, with seasonal aggregations and migrations influenced by water temperature and prey availability. Spawning typically occurs during warmer months.
- Prezzo di mercato: Low to moderate, primarily sold as bait or for direct human consumption in certain regions.
- Importanza commerciale: medium
- Sapore: Mild, slightly oily, with a distinct 'fishy' flavor.
- Consistenza: Soft, flaky, and somewhat delicate.
- Metodi di cottura: Fried, Grilled, Baked, Smoked, Used in stews or curries
- Valore nutrizionale: Good source of protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals (e.g., Vitamin D, B12, Selenium).
Fatti chiave
Schooling Behaviorbehavior
Decapterus punctatus forms large, dense schools, often numbering in the thousands, which is a key survival strategy against predators and aids in foraging efficiency.
Forage Fishinteresting
As a primary forage fish, the Round Scad is a crucial link in marine food webs, transferring energy from lower trophic levels (zooplankton) to higher predators like tuna, billfish, sharks, and marine mammals.
Bait Fishinteresting
Due to its abundance and schooling behavior, D. punctatus is highly valued as live or dead bait for recreational and commercial fisheries targeting larger predatory species.
Rapid Growthbehavior
Round Scads exhibit relatively fast growth rates, reaching sexual maturity within their first year, which contributes to their resilience under fishing pressure.
Informazioni di sicurezza
Sicuro- Livello di sicurezza: safe
- Velenoso: No
- Commestibilità: edible
- Note sul maneggio: Generally safe to handle. No venomous spines or known toxic properties. Care should be taken with the sharp edges of the operculum and fin rays to avoid minor cuts, as with any fish.
Specie simili
Mackerel Scad
Decapterus macarellus
D. macarellus typically has a more slender body, a longer upper jaw, and fewer scutes on the lateral line (usually 24-40 vs. 30-40 for D. punctatus). The black spot on the operculum is often less distinct or absent in D. macarellus.
Redtail Scad
Decapterus tabl
D. tabl generally has a more robust body, a reddish caudal fin (hence the name), and a more pronounced black spot on the operculum. The number of scutes on the lateral line can also differ.
Atlantic Bumper
Chloroscombrus chrysurus
The Atlantic Bumper has a much deeper, more compressed body profile compared to the elongated body of D. punctatus. It also lacks the distinct finlets and has a prominent black spot on the upper caudal peduncle.
Classificazione scientifica
- Regno
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Classe
- Actinopterygii
- Ordine
- Carangiformes
- Famiglia
- Carangidae
- Genere
- Decapterus
- Specie
- punctatus
Esplora Round Scad
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