Atlantic Horse Mackerel

Identification

The horse mackerel resembles a mackerel at first glance, but belongs to a different family. The most distinctive feature is the row of keeled scales (scutes) along the entire lateral line, which feel like a row of small shields. The eyes are conspicuously large, the mouth points downward, and the body is more laterally compressed than a mackerel. Color is greenish-grey on the back with a silvery belly. Reaches up to 40 cm, usually around 25 cm.

Behavior & ecology

The horse mackerel is a pelagic schooling fish that travels in large shoals through open water. It feeds on small fish, plankton, and shrimp, and bites eagerly on artificial lures. Horse mackerel are fast swimmers often found alongside mackerel schools. The species lives both close to shore and further offshore, depending on water temperature and food availability.

Fishing techniques

Horse mackerel is mainly caught as bycatch during mackerel fishing:

• Paternoster: The same feathers and sabiki rigs used for mackerel work excellently.
• Pilkers and jigs: Small pilkers from pier or boat, especially effective with tidal current.
• Spin fishing: Small spoons or micro-jigs on light tackle.

In the Netherlands

Horse mackerel occurs along the Dutch coast from June to October, often alongside mackerel schools. It is regularly caught from piers in Zeeland, Scheveningen, and IJmuiden. The horse mackerel is edible but less valued culinarily than common mackerel. Biologically, it belongs to a different family (Carangidae) than true mackerel (Scombridae).