What is Mackerel?
[[File:Atl mackerel photo3 exp.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Atlantic mackerel]]]] [[File:Trachurus declivis.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Some species of mackerel [[migration|migrate]] in [[Shoaling and schooling|schools]] for long distances along the coast and other species cross oceans]] '''Mackerel''' is a common [[name]] given to a number of [[species]] of [[fish]]. Most mackerel are from the [[Scombridae]] family. They are [[pelagic]] fish, found in both temperate and tropical seas. Most live along the [[coast]] or offshore in the [[ocean]]ic environment. Mackerel typically have vertical stripes on their backs and deeply forked tails. They are superb swimmers, but are often eaten by larger predators such as [[cod]], [[sharks]] and [[dolphins]]. Mackerel is an [[oil]]y fish with rich of [[omega-3]]. The flesh of mackerel spoils easily, especially in the [[tropics]], and can cause [[food poisoning]]. So, it should be eaten on the day of capture, unless [[pickling|pickled]] in salt, or refrigerated. {{-}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Teleosts]] [[Category:Edible fish]]