---
title: Scombridae (Scombridae)
scientific_name: Scombridae
common_name: Scombridae
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:13:01.031Z
tags: Scombridae, Scombridae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scombridae
---

# Scombridae (*Scombridae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Scombridae
- **Body shape:** Torpedo - Streamlined and muscular, built for open-water speed - jacks, tunas, barracudas.
- **Species listed here:** 8

## How to recognise this group

- torpedo-shaped, streamlined body
- deeply forked caudal fin
- series of small finlets behind dorsal and anal fins
- distinct keel on caudal peduncle
- dark metallic blue or green back, silvery sides

Scombridae, a family of fast-swimming, pelagic bony fishes, are commonly known as mackerels, tunas, and bonitos. Their sleek, torpedo-shaped body is characterized by a deeply forked caudal fin, a distinct keel on the caudal peduncle, and a series of small finlets behind both the dorsal and anal fins. Most species have a dark metallic blue or green back, fading to silvery sides and belly, often marked with spots, bars, or wavy lines. The family name Scombridae derives from the ancient Greek 'scombros,' referring to mackerel. Sizes vary widely, from mackerels reaching 30 cm (12 in) to tunas exceeding 2 meters (6.6 ft).

They inhabit open water from the surface down to over 200 m (660 ft) depth, frequently encountered by divers near reef drop-offs, pinnacles, and offshore seamounts. These active, schooling predators hunt small schooling fish and cephalopods, relying on their speed and acute vision. Though migratory, they are a common sight in the pelagic zones and along the outer reef walls.


## Species (8)

- [Double-Lined Mackerel (Grammatorcynus bilineatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scombridae/double-lined-mackerel)
- [Frigate Tuna (Auxis thazard)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scombridae/frigate-tuna)
- [Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scombridae/indian-mackerel)
- [Kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scombridae/kawakawa)
- [Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scombridae/skipjack-tuna)
- [Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scombridae/spanish-mackerel)
- [Striped Bonito (Sarda orientalis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scombridae/striped-bonito)
- [Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scombridae/yellowfin-tuna)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/scombridae)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*