Swift-moving, carnivorous, torpedo-shaped food and sport fishes (family Scombridae, order Perciformes) of temperate and tropical seas worldwide.
Mackerels are 1–5.5 ft (30–170 cm) long. The common mackerel ( Scomber scombrus ) of the North Atlantic Ocean and the chub mackerel ( S. colias ) of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans are economically important, as are the Indian mackerels (genus Rastrelliger ) and the frigate mackerels (genus Auxis ). Other species (genus Scomberomorus ) are favourite game fish. The name mackerel also refers to certain shark species (see mackerel shark ), tuna , and bonito .