SELAR

Selar is a genus of marine ray‑finned fishes belonging to the family Carangidae, commonly referred to as scads. The genus currently includes a single recognized species, Selar crumenophthalmus, known as the bigeye scad or blue mackerel. Members of Selar are medium‑sized pelagic fishes, typically reaching lengths of 20–30 cm, with a laterally compressed body, a forked caudal fin, and a silvery‑blue coloration that helps camouflage them in open water. As its name implies, the bigeye scad possesses relatively large eyes adapted for low‑light conditions, an attribute that facilitates its nocturnal vertical migrations.

Selar crumenophthalmus is distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical Indo‑Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea and eastern African coast to the western Pacific islands, including waters around Japan, Australia, and the Hawaiian archipelago. The species inhabits coastal and offshore waters, often forming large schools near the surface, where it feeds on zooplankton, small crustaceans, and occasionally fish larvae.

The bigeye scad is of moderate commercial importance. It is caught using purse seines, gill nets, and light traps, and is marketed fresh, frozen, or dried in many regional cuisines. In some areas it is also used as bait for larger predatory fish and for tuna fisheries. Ecologically, Selar plays a role as both predator of planktonic organisms and prey for larger pelagic predators such as tunas, mackerels, and seabirds, thereby contributing to the energy flow within marine food webs.

Reproduction occurs throughout the year in equatorial regions, with spawning peaks linked to seasonal changes in temperature and plankton abundance. The species exhibits high fecundity, releasing thousands of pelagic eggs that develop into transparent larvae. Selar crumenophthalmus is generally considered a species of least concern by conservation assessments, although localized overfishing and habitat degradation could affect certain populations.