Fun Japanese Spanish Mackerel Facts For Kids

Mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius) is a predatory marine fish that is a popular food fish in fisheries. There are a total of 30 different types of mackerels in the sea. Japanese Spanish mackerel is related to the same family and genus Scomberomorus.

They are mostly seen in the Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, and inland sea regions. They are native to Japan and China.

Spanish mackerel in Japanese is also known as Japanese seerfish. Spanish mackerel's Japanese name is translated to 'saba'. Japanese Spanish mackerel English word is mackerel as well The word mackerel is derived from Spanish however, Spanish mackerel are a different type of fish from the same family.

They are listed under the Least Concern category by the IUCN. This article will take a look at some fun and interesting facts about Japanese Spanish mackerel. Don't forget to visit and check out thesebonito-fish factsand rainbow-trout facts as well.

Japanese Spanish Mackerel Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Japanese Spanish mackerel?

Japanese Spanish (Scomberomorus niphonius)  mackerel is a type of fish that belongs to the Kingdom Animalia and order Scombriformes and lives in the inland sea regions in Japan.

What class of animal does a Japanese Spanish mackerel belong to?

Japanese Spanish (Scomberomorus niphonius) mackerel is a type of fish that belongs to the class Actinopterygii, family Scombridae, and genus Scomberomorus.  

How many Japanese Spanish mackerels are there in the world?

The total number of (Scomberomorus niphonius) Japanese Spanish mackerels in the world is not evaluated however, they are one of the most popularly consumed fish native to Japan.

Where does a Japanese Spanish mackerel live?

Japanese Spanish mackerel live in temperate and tropical regions in off-the-coast regions, offshore the ocean, and inland sea. In specific the Atlantic, the Pacific oceans, and the inland sea regions in Japan and China. Scomberomorus species can also be seen in fisheries where they are sold for consumption and considered a tasty choice of food source.

What is a Japanese Spanish mackerel's habitat?

Scomberomorus niphonius' habitat constitutes the inland sea of Japan. They undergo spawning migration in spring from March to June and migrate to feed in September to November during winter months in the inland sea. It constitutes great cultural value in the culture of Japan and China.

Who do Japanese Spanish mackerels live with?

Japanese Spanish mackerel live in large schools that can stretch up to 20 mi (32 km) in length. They are hardly seen alone. Scomberomorus species are also adopted as pets by various owners.

How long does a Japanese Spanish Mackerel live?

They have a long lifespan similar to other fish of their kind; these fish have been recorded to live for 25 years. This depends on various factors like their diet as well as their environment.

How do they reproduce?

Scomberomorus niphonius have external fertilization. Spawning migration is from March to June.

Through the mating process, females lay 200,000-400,000 total eggs in water where they merge with sperm cells. Scomberomorus fishes total eggs laid then float in water because it contains oil.

The larvae are extremely small in size and feed on yolk in the first few days of their life by the time they reach two inches they are capable of moving around and often feeding on foods like zooplanktons.

What is their conservation status?

Japanese Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius) is not an evaluated species by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN).

Japanese Spanish Mackerel Fun Facts

What do Japanese Spanish Mackerels look like?

Japanese Spanish mackerels are usually dark grey. They are approximately 39.37 in (100 cm) in length and their weight is 23.30 lb (10.57 kg).

They have a slender yet streamlined body type, two dorsal fins, and multiple smaller fins on their dorsal and lateral side. Their tail is shaped like a fork and is sharp.

They also have teeth that are sharp and pointy important in helping easily catch prey. They live near the inland sea specifically the inland sea of Japan and ocean body. They are usually found in the sea and in fisheries where they are sold for consumption and specifically in Japan.

Japanese versus Spanish mackerel (Sawara) are related species that differ in appearance. Spanish mackerel vs Japanese mackerel also differ in consumption habits as the latter is consumed more compared to the first.

(*Please note that this is an image of [Atlantic mackerel], not a [Japanese Spanish mackerel]. If you have an image of a [Japanese Spanish mackerel] please let us know at hello@kidadl.com)

How cute are they?

One can't exactly classify this fish species of Japan to be cute, however, they are unique and good-looking in their ways. They are an important source of nutrients for various people who consume them.

How do they communicate?

Japanese Spanish mackerel just like others is communicative with other species from the same family. They are known to communicate via visual, acoustic as well as body language and vibrations.

How big is a Japanese Spanish mackerel?

Japanese Spanish mackerel is 39.37 in (100 cm) in length which is 20 times bigger than the world's smallest fish in the world called Paedocypris which is 10.3 mm in size.

How fast can a Japanese Spanish mackerel swim?

Japanese Spanish mackerel swim exact speed is not evaluated however, they can travel at relatively good speeds and are diurnal animals, which means they are active during the day. Atlantic mackerel can swim up to 12 kph (7.4 mph).

How much does a Japanese Spanish mackerel weigh?

This species is native to Japan and its weight is 23.30 lb (10.57 kg). The heaviest species of the kind is the king mackerel which has been recorded to weigh up to 93 lb (42.1 kg) and so is the Spanish mackerel a big fish species.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male and female mackerels are not known differently. It's difficult to tell male and female species apart since they appear more or less the same and chances are higher for one to guess the species as male however, they differ in reproductive functions. Spawning migration is from March to June.

What would you call a baby Japanese Spanish mackerel?

A baby Japanese Spanish mackerel would be referred to as a fry. They grow up by the time they reach 2 in (5 cm) in age and can feed and take care of themselves.

What do they eat?

Japanese Spanish mackerel food consumption is quite good considering they are one of the top predatory fish species. They feed primarily on small fishes, shrimp, and vampire-squid. Their predators include larger fishes and humans who consume them. They are a popular choice for fisheries around the globe.

Are they dangerous?

Scomberomorus species are not dangerous as long as they are not troubled however, when consumed at excessive levels it can be detrimental to one's health because of the mercury in their body. It is advised to consume smaller fish of this species instead of larger species.  

Would they make a good pet?

They can be kept as pets in large aquariums or tanks. Mackerel can be a difficult species as compared to other species of fish pets that are smaller in size and less cumbersome to take care of.

You need to enquire about the legalities of owning such species as well as how to take care of them. Depending on your tank size it's best to ensure that all (Scomberomorus niphonius) have ample space for themselves.

Did you know...

Japanese Spanish mackerel tasty sushi recipe is available online on multiple websites. Sawara or Spanish mackerel recipe (Japanese style) is available online as cooked by people in Japan.

Sawara is known as the "cold Japanese spanish mackerel". Japanese Spanish mackerel in Kyoto-style miso is the most popular and tasty recipe so far.

There are various other region-specific tasty Japanese Spanish mackerel recipes as well. Mackerel Japanese Spanish shopping is easy if you live in a region close to these species or are visiting one.

Mackerel species have the longest history in traditional Edomae style Japanese Spanish mackerel sushi which is tasty. It is a popular and tasty choice of meat in Japan however, consuming too much can lead to high levels of mercury buildup in the body.

These species have numerous enemies, including tunas, dolphins, sea lions, tortoises, and pelicans who consume these fish.

Why is a Japanese Spanish Mackerel also called Japanese Seerfish?

Japanese Spanish mackerel is also called Japanese seerfish because they are native to the Indo-Pacific region, the Indian Ocean, and the adjoining regions. Seer fish are also referred to as fishes who are spotted in nature like the Spanish mackerel who have spotted patterns on them and have an elongated body. Seer fishes are also popular food fishes.

What's unique about  Japanese Spanish Mackerel?

Spanish mackerel sushi's Japanese name is 'saba'. Spanish mackerel Japanese translation is Japanese seerfish. So what is Spanish mackerel in Japanese?

It is simply used as a spring seasonal word in compounds, alone as well as in poetry. These fish have large eyes and more gill rakers as compared to other fishes. It is often confused with the Atlantic Spanish mackerel (Sawara), Atlantic-Mackerel, king mackerel, chub mackerel, and horse mackerel fish.

Japanese Spanish mackerel is native to Japan and is an affordable choice of meat which is good nutritional value. All types of mackerels are unique in their ways. Next time you spot a mackerel try and identify which one they are in specific.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish including these rainbow-cichlid facts and arctic-char facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Japanese Spanish mackerel coloring pages.