Scomberomorini is a tribe of ray-finned saltwater bony fishes that is commonly known as the Spanish mackerels, seerfishes or seer fish. This tribe is a subset of the mackerel family (Scombridae) – a family that it shares with four sister tribes, the tunas, mackerels, bonitos, and the butterfly kingfish. Scomberomorini comprises 21 species across three genera.[1] They are pelagic fish, fast swimmers and predatory in nature, that fight vigorously when caught. They are mainly caught using hooks and lines.
Taxonomy
The following cladogram shows the most likely evolutionary relationships between the Spanish mackerels and the tunas, mackerels, bonitos, and the butterfly kingfish.
Spanish mackerel is very much liked for its delicacy in various regions of South India and Sri Lanka. In Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, this fish is called Vanjaram and is usually the most expensive fish available. In Kerala, it is called Neymeen. It is called Aiykoora in northern Kerala and south coastal Karnataka. In Sri Lanka, Spanish mackerel is known as thora. Seerfishes are also referred to as king mackerels in some areas. They have very sharp teeth and are handled with care by fishers familiar with them. Seerfish is one of the more popular in this group for eating. Seerfishes are notorious for their histamine poisoning. It can be fried, grilled, and steamed. It is gaining popularity in the South Pacific and United States as a canned product.
Throughout India, Spanish mackerel may be known as the following:
