Think before consuming this fish and always respect sustainable sizes and seasons, as there is a consistent level of heavy metals that bioaccumulate in this species. Eat responsibly. 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.

This species is not toxic however a limited study showed that Trachurus picturatus can bioaccumulate heavy metals. Heavy metal concentration in muscles appear to be safe for eating but consumption of the liver is discouraged.

Elongated, fusiform body shape. Distinguished by its dark blue-black back and whitish belly, with transparent or pink fins. It has a long lateral line, reaching past the beginning of the second dorsal fin, and the last dorsal and anal fin rays are separated from the others. Looks like: Trachurus trachurus (Atlantic horse mackerel); Trachurus mediterraneus (Mediterranean horse mackerel): all three species are frequently found in the same geographic areas and are commercially exploited, share similar body shapes and sizes, making them difficult to distinguish by sight.

A female mackerel can produce up to 70,000 eggs every time they spawn!