[Several genera of family Carangidae]
"Scad" is a name of convenience for several genera of smaller fish within the huge and very diverse Carangidae family (Jacks, Amberjacks, Trevely, Pompano, Moonfish, Jack Mackerels, etc.). They resemble mackerel in flavor, but milder and without so much oil. These fish are popular in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, so in North Ameica are most available from Philipine markets, though they also appear in other Asian markets.
More on Fish Varieties (very
big page).
[Coulihou (Caribbean); Akula (Hawaii); Matan, Matangbaka (Philippine);
Ikan Selar (Malay); Purse-eyed Scad, Goggle-eyed Scad;
Selar crumenophthalmus | similar - Oxeye Scad;
Matangbaka (Philippine); Selar boops]
This is a "circumtropical" fish found all the way around the world
above and below the equator, but its interpretation of the "tropical"
part is a bit loose since it's found as far north as Nova Scotia.
It's a nocturnal fish traveling in schools of hundreds of thousands
and can grow to 27 inches, but the photo specimen was 11 inches and
weighed 9 ounces. This fish is kosher and is not threatened.
Details and Cooking.
[Torpedo Scad; Megalaspis cordyla]
This Indo-West Pacific fish is found from East Africa to Japan and very
common around Indonesia. It can grow to 31 inches and nearly 9 pounds but
the photo specimen was 11-1/2 inches and weighed 10 ounces. This is a
highly commercial fish in Southeast Asia. Kosher and not threatened.
Details and Cooking.
[Cigarfish, Cigarminow (small); Galunggong (Philippine); Round Scad;
Decapterus macarellus]
This fish, found worldwide, is not related to Mackerel, but can be
treated similarly except when the Mackerel's oiliness is important
(smoking, pickling). This fish can grow to 18 inches but the photo
specimen was 14-3/4 inches long and weighed 1 pound 2-3/8 ounces.
These fish have just enough scales to be kosher.
Details and Cooking.
[Layang scad (English); Layang, Layang lidi, Layang deles (Malay);
Cá Nuc Thuôn (Viet); Round Scad, Decapterus macrosoma]
This Indo-Pacific scad is also found in the East Pacific from the coast of
Baja California to Northern Peru. They can grow to over 14 inches, but the
ones popular here range from 8-3/4 inches and 3-7/8 ounces (Vietnam,
frozen) to about 6-1/2 inches and 2 ounces (California wild caught).
Details and Cooking.
[Yellowstripe Trevally, Salay Salay; Selaroides leptolepis ]
This is one of a dozen or so similar small, deep bodied Scad called
"Salay Salay" in the Philippines. These Indo-Pacific fish are found
from the Persian Gulf to the Philippines, north to the southern tip
of Japan and south to northern Australia. they can reach 8-5/8 inches
but are commonly 6 inches. The photo specimen was 6 inches long and
weighed 1-3/4 ounces. This fish is fished commercially, and is IUCN
Red Listed NE (Not Evaluated).
Details and Cooking.
This Indo-Pacific fish is found from the east coast of Africa to
Hawaii. These fish can grow to nearly 12 inches, but the photo
specimen was 8-1/2 inches and weighed 6-1/2 ounces. This is a minor
commercial catch and is IUCN Red Listed NE (Not Evaluated).
Details and Cooking.