Fish Species
Horse Mackerel
Scientific name: Trachurus trachurus
Other/Common names: Maasbanker, Cape Horse Mackerel, Carapau (in Portugal), Scad
Distribution: South African coastline and Namibia
Preferring cooler coastal waters and depths of about 400m, Horse Mackerel can be found all along our coastline, although the biggest concentration is between the West Coast and the Agulhas Bank.
Belonging to a fish family known as Carangidae, the Horse Mackerel is silver in colour, with bits of olive green and a white belly. It can grow up to 70cm in length and is elongated in shape, yet almost round in its cross-section.
Often used as bait for larger gamefish, it’s also extremely popular as a staple food in especially West Africa.
