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Yellowtail Scad

Yellowtail Scad

Trachurus Novaezelandiae

Quick Facts

Scientific name Trachurus Novaezelandiae

Other names Bung, Mcculloch's Yellowtail, Scad, Southern Yellowtail Scad, Yakka, Yellowtail, Yellowtail Chow, Yellowtail Horse Mackerel, Yellowtail Mackerel

Size Up to 50 cm (19.6 in)

Weight Up to 1 kg (2.2 lb)

Distribution

Habitat & AU Distribution Coastal & oceanic waters, estuaries & seaward reefs

Depth Range 0 - 150+ m (490+ ft)

Interesting Info

The Yellowtail Scad is a shiny silver schooling fish with a bright yellow tail that makes it easy to spot.
It grows up to about 50 cm (20 in), though most are caught at 20–35 cm (8–14 in).
They weigh less than 1 kg (2 lb), making them smaller than their cousin, the Jack Mackerel.
In Australia, they are widespread, ranging from Queensland, across southern waters including Tasmania, and west to North-West Cape in Western Australia, as well as around Lord Howe Island.
They are also found in New Zealand, where they are called “Yellowtail Jack.”
Yellowtail Scad form huge schools in bays, estuaries, and coastal waters, often moving in shimmering clouds of silver and yellow.
Juveniles stay in sheltered bays and harbours, while adults move into deeper coastal waters and the continental shelf.
They are fast, streamlined swimmers, darting around to confuse predators.
They feed mainly on plankton, small crustaceans, and tiny fish, filtering food from the water as they swim.
They are an important prey for tuna, dolphins, seals, and seabirds, playing a key role in the food chain.
Spawning takes place in spring and summer, with eggs drifting offshore in plankton before hatching into larvae.
They grow quickly and mature at about 20 cm (8 in) long, usually within 2–3 years.
Their lifespan is up to 7–8 years, shorter than the larger Jack Mackerel.
Divers and snorkellers often see them forming tight schools that flash like silver mirrors underwater.
They are sometimes mistaken for juvenile trevallies, but their bright yellow tail is a clear giveaway.

Species Interaction

Recreational & Commercial Fishing, Snorkelling & Diving

For recreational anglers, Yellowtail Scad are a common catch from piers, breakwalls, and surf beaches. They’re often kept as bait for bigger fish, but they also put up a spirited fight on light tackle. Snorkellers and divers enjoy their dazzling schools, which can look like shifting silver clouds with golden tails flashing through. Commercially, they are taken in small-scale fisheries, often by purse seine nets, and sometimes canned or sold fresh.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Carangiformes

Family: Carangidae

Genus: Trachurus

Species: Trachurus novaezelandiae

Conservation Status

The Yellowtail Scad is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. It is widespread across southern and eastern Australian waters, including Tasmania and Lord Howe Island, and remains abundant with stable populations. It is not heavily targeted by commercial fisheries, though it is taken in small numbers for bait, canned products, and local consumption. Because it often forms large schools in nearshore habitats, maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems and sustainable fishing practices is important for its long-term survival.

Fish Taste Quality

Yellowtail Scad are edible, with soft, oily flesh and a strong flavour. They are more often used as bait than eaten, but when fresh can be grilled, smoked, or canned.

Taste Rating: 2.5/5