scubaseason

Atlantic horse mackerel

Trachurus trachurus

Sighting evidence at Baixo do Sul, Azores — Faial and Pico

Atlantic horse mackerel form massive bait balls above Baixo do Sul that attract virtually every large predator in the area. They school in numbers reaching the tens of thousands, using hydrodynamic drafting to reduce individual energy expenditure in the persistent currents that sweep the plateau. Their schooling behaviour is so precise that individual fish maintain consistent positions within the school, responding to neighbours' movements within milliseconds through lateral line detection.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Atlantic horse mackerel is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites