Scomberesox saurus (Walbaum, 1792)
Atlantic saury
Scomberesox saurus
photo by Reyes, P.

Family:  Scomberesocidae (Sauries)
Max. size:  50 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 30 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Arctic (Ref. 43202). North Atlantic. Eastern Atlantic: Iceland, Norway and Denmark (rarely), along British Isles into Baltic Sea and throughout the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean seas to Morocco. Western Atlantic: Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada to North Carolina, USA and Bermuda (Ref. 7251). Highly migratory species.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Oceanic, schooling and gregarious. Occasionally shoals close to shore in large numbers (Ref. 9987). Feeds on zooplankton and fish larvae (Ref. 9987); food also includes fish eggs and small fishes (Ref. 5951). Preyed upon by fish, including tunas, marlin bluefish and cod (Ref. 9987); also pollock, dolphins and porpoises (Ref. 5951). It is an under-exploited fish in many parts of its range and suitable for canning and other inexpensive uses (Ref. 9987). Often leap of the water when chased by enemies (Ref. 35388).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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