The Cape horse mackerel (Trachurus capensis) is a mackerel-like species in the family Carangidae. Their maximum reported length is 60 cm, with a common length of 30 cm. Cape horse mackerel (Trachurus capensis) is a pelagic species, usually found to a depth of 300 m. They are mostly found over the continental shelf, often over sandy bottoms. The shoals rise to feed in surface waters at night, but can be found close to the bottom during the day. Horse mackerel are very abundant in South African and Namibian waters, though much of the catch is exported. Their stock status is uncertain, but expert opinion is that the stock is most likely underfished.