by Rarefish » Fri Jun 17, 2005 1:57 am
Hello Nev,
The common mackerel (Scomber scombrus) often exhibits unusual colouration patterns, but your specimen looks like a Spanish Mackerel (S. colias) which (apart from colouration patterns) is distinguished from the latter by the presence of a swinbladder. Although there are only 7 comfirmed records of S. colias from Irish waters, I am sure that it occurs more frequently than we think. If you still have the specimen I would be glad to give you a definitive diagnosis.
Regards,
Rarefish
I would like to hear from any anglers who have caught any unusual fish and/or species