Scombridae is a family of fishes of the order Scombriformes. The body is torpedo-shaped. There are additional fins behind the second dorsal and anal fins. The caudal peduncle is highly refined. Marine, pelagic, gregarious fish. Planktonophagous and predators. Make long migrations, tuna - interoceanic. Feed on zooplankton and small fish. They live in warm and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Reach lengths of 40-60 cm, rarely 3 m (tunas). Has 15 genera (mackerels, pelamids, mackerels, tunas, etc.), more than 50 species. Scombridae are of great commercial importance.

The family includes 51 species in 14 genera. These are pelagic fishes, the life cycle of which is not associated with the bottom. They are characterized by an elongated spindle-shaped body, thin and compressed from the sides of the tail stem with 2-3 keels and the presence of additional fins behind the soft dorsal and anal fins. They are fast swimmers, well adapted to active life in the water column.

A distinctive feature of the family is the bony ring around the eyes. These fish have two dorsal fins, both of which can fold into a special groove on the back. Between the dorsal and caudal fins are a number of smaller fins, which help to avoid the formation of whirlpools during rapid movement. The caudal fin is broadly bifurcated. The body is covered with small scales or naked in the posterior part. In the front part of the large scales form a carapace. The lateral line is curved or wavy, sometimes with transverse branches. Pectoral fins are high, pelvic fins on the chest, with barb and 5 rays. Vertebrae 31-66.

Representatives of the family range in size from 20 cm to more than 4.5 meters. This record size was recorded for the common tuna. Mackerel are predators living in the open ocean. When hunting, they can reach great speeds. Eggs and larvae are found only near the coasts.

Some mackerel species have a slightly higher body temperature than the surrounding water. Also, in these species, the gills have evolved to be fused with the filtering apparatus and are more immobile.