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Rastrelliger kanagurta . From fishmarket, Nouméa, New Caledonia.

Indian mackerel

A coastal food fish of the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Photo: Jean-Lou Justine, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Indian mackerel is a scombrid fish found in warm shallow waters across the Indo-Pacific. It supports local fisheries and cuisine in South and Southeast Asia, reaching lengths of up to 35 cm.

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  • Reaches a maximum length of 35 cm
  • Found in warm waters above 17 degrees Celsius
  • Diet shifts from plankton to larvae as it matures
  • Spawns in batches with external fertilization
  • Important food fish in South Asian cuisine

What it is

This species belongs to the mackerel family and features a moderately deep body with a head longer than its depth. Its upper body displays thin dark bands that may appear golden on fresh catches, along with a distinct black spot near the pectoral fin. The dorsal fins are yellowish with black tips, while other fins range from yellowish to dusky. Adults typically measure around 25 cm, though they can grow to 35 cm in length.

Where it lives

These fish inhabit warm shallow waters where surface temperatures stay above 17 degrees Celsius. Their distribution spans from the Red Sea and East Africa eastward to Indonesia, and north from China to Australia and Samoa. They prefer turbid waters rich in plankton, often residing in coastal bays, harbours and deep lagoons. Rare sightings have occurred in the Mediterranean Sea off Gaza, likely entering through the Suez Canal.

How it lives

Juveniles consume phytoplankton such as diatoms and small zooplankton including cladocerans. As the fish mature, their intestines shorten and their diet shifts toward macroplankton like shrimp and fish larvae. This change reflects their growth and changing nutritional needs in coastal environments where plankton abundance varies.

Breeding and life cycle

Spawning seasons differ by hemisphere. In northern regions like India, it occurs between March and September. In southern areas such as the Seychelles, it takes place from September to March. The fish release eggs in batches into the water for external fertilization. They do not guard the eggs, leaving them to develop independently in the open water.

Indian mackerel
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

This mackerel is a significant food source in South and Southeast Asian cuisine. It goes by many local names, including Bangda in Marathi, Ayla in Malayalam and alumahan in the Philippines. Fishers target it in coastal waters, and it remains a staple protein for communities across its range due to its abundance and accessibility.

Images provided courtesy of a multi-partnered collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (BFAR-NFRDI), Philippines
Images provided courtesy of a multi-partnered collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries a. Photo: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Group of fish ( Rastrelliger kanagurta ) near the beach of Sharm El Naga
Group of fish ( Rastrelliger kanagurta ) near the beach of Sharm El Naga. Photo: Dino van doorn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Indian Mackerel
Indian Mackerel. Photo: Nithin bolar k, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Indian Mackerel, cleaned with gashes and its eggs. The head portion is removed.
Indian Mackerel, cleaned with gashes and its eggs. The head portion is removed.. Photo: Sikku, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Indian mackerel

Where does the Indian mackerel live?

It lives in warm shallow coastal waters of the Indian and Western Pacific oceans. It prefers areas with surface temperatures above 17 degrees Celsius, such as bays, harbours and turbid lagoons rich in plankton.

What does the Indian mackerel eat?

Juveniles feed on phytoplankton and small zooplankton. As they mature, their diet changes to include macroplankton such as shrimp and fish larvae, reflecting a shortening of their intestines during growth.

When does the Indian mackerel spawn?

Spawning times depend on location. In the northern hemisphere, it occurs from March to September. In the southern hemisphere, such as near the Seychelles, it happens from September to March.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Indian mackerel", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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