Trachurus

Jack mackerels
Temporal range: Eocene to Present
Japanese horse mackerel, Trachurus japonicus
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Carangiformes
Suborder: Carangoidei
Family: Carangidae
Subfamily: Caranginae
Genus: Trachurus
Rafinesque, 1810
Type species
Trachurus saurus
Synonyms
  • Branchialepes Fowler, 1938
  • Suareus Dardignac & Vincent, 1958

Jack mackerels or saurels are marine ray-finned fish in the genus Trachurus of the family Carangidae. The name of the genus derives from the Greek words trachys ("rough") and oura ("tail"). Some species, such as T. murphyi, are harvested in purse seine nets, and overfishing (harvesting beyond sustainable levels) has sometimes occurred.

It is often used in Japanese cuisine, where it is called aji, in Turkish cuisine, where it is called istavrit, and in Portuguese Cuisine, where it is called carapau.