In Garrick the lateral line curves over the pectoral fin and then dips behind the fin before straightening towards the caudal fin. The head and body is blue grey to greenish above and silvery below. The fins are dark. Small juveniles are yellow and the upper parts of the head and body are black with 6 or 7 black bars running down onto the flanks. It can attain 2.0m or 50kg.
They are found from the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic to South Africa and along our coast to Maputo. Adults are found nearshore in clear water and juveniles are usually found in estuaries.
Adults are almost exclusively piscivorous and they feed heavily on shad, piggies and strepies. They may pack hunt to catch fish in the surf zone and to herd bait fish into a gully. Most Garrick in South Africa spawn along the KZN coast from September to November and they mature at 75-85cm fork length. The winter migrations on the east coast are usually associated with the annual sardine run and the sardines may provide the extra food that Garrick require for increased gonad development during this period.
For information on places where this species occurs click on the destinations below:
Reference
Heemstra, P. and Heemstra E. 2004. Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and National Inquiry Service Centre. 488 pp.
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=692&genusname=Lichia&speciesname=amia