Gempylus serpens
Snake Mackerel
‘Ā‘ā Mangā Ivi RR
f.GEMPYLIDAE
Snake Mackerels
Gempylus serpens
Snake Mackerel
‘Ā‘ā Mangā Ivi RR
f.GEMPYLIDAE
Snake Mackerels
Cook Islands Status Summary
Show Notes
Intl. NamesSnake Mackerel EN , Serpent Snake‑mackerel EN Escolier Serpent FR
Local Names‘Ā‘ā Mangā IviRR P,?NAK,RK A‘a MangaPL
Pacific NamesNo Content
Sci. NamesGempylus serpens (accepted name)
High Tax. Eng.k.Animals, p.Vertebrates, spc.Fishes, c.Bony Fishes, f.Snake Mackerels - Bony Fish
High Tax. Latink.ANIMALIA, p.CHORDATA, sp.GNATHOSTOMATA, spc.PISCES, c.OSTEICHTHYES, o.Perciformes, so.Scombroidei, f.GEMPYLIDAE
Natl. PresencePresentOceanic+
Sth. PresenceRR+?MG?AT?MK?MT?AKPPLP?MN?TK?
Nth. PresenceTN?MH?RKPPK?NS?SW?
VouchersRR1999
TN1936
Local OriginNative; Resident
Global RangeNative: circumtropical & subtropics, (including Fiji, Samoa, Cooks, Easter);
HabitatAquatic; Marine; Nearshore, Deep slope
ThreatenedNo Content
InvasivenessNo Content
BiosecurityNo Content
Medical StatusNo Content
Harmful StatusNo Content
UsesFlesh food (commonly)
IdentificationA very elongate fish (1:15 D:L) typically to 60cm SL (max. 100cm). First Dorsal with ±28 spines, 2nd Dorsal and Anal small and opposite, 6 finlets. Two lateral lines, upper ending at 2nd Dorsal and lower ending in tail.
Similar SpeciesCI News pre-1988 photographed 220cmx33kg and 205cmx32kg - ask at fishing club to find the date - ID by Jack Randall as Gempylus serpens.
Interest Notesee under Promethichthys prometheus.
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Vernacular Names
no data available
Threatened
no data available
Invasive/Pest Status
no data available
Biosecurity
Citation Information
McCormack, Gerald (2026) Cook Islands Biodiversity & Ethnobiology Database, Version 2026.04.29 - Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga. Online at https://naturalheritage.gov.ck/cibed
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