Consumption of this species is currently considered sustainable. Eat responsibly. Enjoy your meal and always respect sustainable sizes and breeding seasons! Due to ineffective legislation that does not take into account the species biology, the legal size of this fish is substantially lower than the sustainable size. This makes it particularly important to respect the sustainable size shown.

Trachurus mediterraneus is considered safe to eat beacuse the Cadium, Lead and Manganese levels were found to be at low enough levels.

Elongated, slender, compressed body, typically reaching up to 60 cm in length. It has a large head, a projecting lower jaw, and a metallic blue back with a silvery-white belly. It features a well-developed adipose eyelid, small nostrils, and a distinct notch on the posterior margin of the opercle (gill cover). Key distinguishing features include the scutes (bony plates) along the lateral line and a small, black opercular spot. Looks like: T. trachurus (Atlantic Horse Mackerel): This species is very similar to T. mediterraneus in terms of body shape and size.

Forms schools, sometimes with other Trachurus species such as T. trachurus and T. picturatus!