Animal Species:Finny Scad, Megalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758)
The Finny Scad can be recognised by the long pectoral fin, by the prominent scutes and large black spot on the top of the operculum (gill cover). It is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific.
Alternative Name/s
Finletted Mackerel Scad, Hardtail Scad, Torpedo Scad
Identification
The Finny Scad is a streamlined, countershaded fish which resembles other fishes in the Family Carangidae (trevallies, scads etc). The Finny Scad can be recognised by the long pectoral fin, by the prominent scutes (51-59) on the straight part of the lateral line on the side of the body, by the large black spot on the top of the operculum (gill cover) by the dorsal (7-9) and anal (8-10) finlets, and by the adipose eyelid which covers the pupil except a narrow vertical slit over the pupil.
Size range
The species grows to 80 cm in length.
Distribution
The Finny Scad has a wide distribution in the Indo-Pacific.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Ozcam map of Finny Scad specimens in the Australian Museums.
Classification
- Species:
- cordyla
- Genus:
- Megalaspis
- Family:
- Carangidae
- Order:
- Perciformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Edition 2. Crawford House Publishing. Pp. 557.
Mark McGrouther
, Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:
Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Finny Scad, Megalaspis cordyla, Carangidae, long pectoral fin, prominent scutes, black spot, dots/spots, Finletted Mackerel Scad, Hardtail Scad, Torpedo Scad, countershaded, 30 cm - 1 m, marine,
