Yellowtail Scad

Atule mate 

Habitat & Distribution :  Indo-Pacific Ocean 

Diet : Zooplankton, algae and small invertebrates 

Size : 30 cm 

Lifespan : 2-10 years

Description

These small, streamlined, torpedo-shaped fish feature a vibrant, bright yellow tail and dorsal fin. Their body is silvery with a bright olive-green to bluish-green top, faint vertical gray bars on the sides, and a distinct dark spot on the gill cover. 

Behavior 

The yellowtail scad generally swims in mangrove forests and coastal waters. It lives in schools and swims to depths of up to 80 m near the coast, where it is often found swimming vertically to feed on plankton near the surface. 

Reproduction

They spawn over an extended season, typically from July to March in Australia or March to October in Hawaii, peaking in spring. They are prolific breeders with high fecundity. 

Communication & Perception

They communicate primarily through visual cues to maintain school structure, utilizing schooling behavior as a key social mechanism in coastal waters. Their communication is heavily influenced by light and vision, which dictates their movement and school cohesion. 

Predator(s)

Trevally, sharks, groupers and other larger predatory fish