Shrimp Scad - Distribution and Habitat

Distribution and Habitat

The shrimp scad is distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region from South Africa in the west, along the coasts of East Africa, India, Asia, Indonesia, northern Australia, Japan and extending as far east as Hawaii. They are also one of the species involved in the Lessepsian migration through the Suez Canal and inhabit the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea around Israel, Lebanon and Egypt. The species is primarily an inshore inhabitant of reefs and over open sand patches, even in moderately turbid waters, often forming large schools. The species has in isolated circumstances also been found close to shore in surf zones in Japan and in estuarine waters in South Africa. The species is occasionally found in offshore environments, suggesting it can lead a pelagic lifestyle also.