Yellowtail Scad, Trachurus novaezelandiae Richardson, 1843
Bung, Chow, McCulloch's Yellowtail, Scad, Southern Yellowtail Scad, Yakka, Yellowtail, Yellowtail Chow, Yellowtail Horse Mackerel, Yellowtail Mackerel
Introduction
The Yellowtail Scad can be recognised by its silvery colour, tinged with green or brown dorsally, and yellow tail. It is often caught from wharves by anglers.
Identification
The species is recognised by its silvery colour, tinged with green or brown dorsally, and yellow tail. It has a distinct dark spot on the rear margin of the operculum. It has enlarged scales, called scutes along the entire lateral line. The pectoral fin is sickle-shaped, or falcate, the caudal peduncle is very shallow and the tail is strongly forked.
Habitat
It lives in a range of habitats from the surface to 500 m.
Distribution
The Yellowtail Scad is a common schooling species of Australia's southern marine waters from Wide Bay, Queensland to north-west Cape, Western Australia.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Economic impacts
The Yellowtail Scad is often caught from wharves by anglers.
References
- Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F, C.J.M. Glover & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.