"Members of the genus Decapterus usually occur in schools and are distributed throughout the world in tropical and subtropical waters. Decapterus is found generally in inshore waters, although larvae and young may occur in oceanic waters (Berry 1968). Fishes of this genus are important both for human consumption and for bait. In the Philippines, the round scad (Decaplerus spp.) is the largest commercial fishery, reaching over 100,000 tons per year (Ronquillo 1970). The increasing demand for protein for humans has put additional pressure on fish species not formerly exploited to the fullest. This species profile will attempt to bring together information on aspects of Decapterus pmctatus so future management and research plans can be developed. Emphasis will be centered on the species in the Gulf of Mexico"--Introduction