Spanish Mackerel


Family Scombridae, MACKERELS and TUNAS
Scomberomorous maculatus


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Description: color of back green, shading to silver on sides, golden yellow
irregular spots above and below lateral line; front of dorsal fin black; lateral
line curves gently to base of tail.

Similar Fish: cero, S. regalis; king mackerel, S. cavalla.

Where found: INSHORE, NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, especially
over grass beds and reefs; absent from north Florida waters in winter.

Size: average catch less than 2 pounds (20 inches).

Remarks: schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to
southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees F;
spawns OFFSHORE, spring through summer; feeds on small fish and
squid.
Spanish Mackerel