Decapterus russelli

Characteristic features:

Colour:

Blue to greenish above, silvery below; a small black blotch on upper edge of operculum; caudal fin pale to dusky brown; other fins mostly pale.

Size:

To 35 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indo-West and Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Coastal, benthopelagic, inshore in sheltered bays from 40 to 275 m depth.

Biology:

Feeds primarily on small planktonic invertebrates. Forms large schools.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught mainly with purse seines and trawls.

Similar species:

Decapterus kurroides
Redtail scad

Decapterus kurroides differs in having a larger eye (vs. smaller); having straight part of lateral line with no scales (vs. 0–4 scales) and caudal fin bright red (vs. hyaline to dusky).

to Decapterus kurroides

Decapterus macarellus
Mackerel scad

Decapterus macarellus differs in having a larger eye (vs. smaller) the straight part of lateral line with 18–39 scales (vs. 0–4 scales); curved part of lateral line without scutes (vs. 0–4 scutes) and pectoral fins long, tips extending to, or slightly beyond level with second dorsal-fin origin (vs. considerably shorter, the tips not reaching near level with second dorsal-fin origin).

to Decapterus macarellus

Decapterus macrosoma
Shortfin scad

Decapterus macrosoma differs in having the posterior end of upper jaw concave above, rounded and produced below (vs. posterior end of upper jaw straight above, slightly concave and not noticeably slanted posteriorly); curved part of lateral line without scutes (vs. 0–4 scutes); straight part of lateral line with 14–29 scales (vs. 0–4 scales) and oral valve (membrane) at symphysis of upper jaw conspicuously white in adults (vs. dusky or transparent).

to Decapterus macrosoma

Decapterus tabl
Roughear scad

Decapterus tabl differs in having a larger eye (vs. smaller); curved part of lateral line with no scutes (vs. 0–4 scutes); straight part of lateral line with 4–12 scales (vs. 0–4 scales) and caudal fin bright red (vs. hyaline to dusky).

to Decapterus tabl

FishBase
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