Tuna & Mackerel
King Mackerel
Scomberomorus cavalla
SaltwaterScombridaeNot Evaluated (IUCN). Managed in the US under federal regulations to prevent overfishing.
About
King Mackerel are streamlined, migratory fish with a pronounced lateral line that dips sharply below the second dorsal fin. They are voracious predators known for their speed and agility in the water, often forming schools, especially when young.
- Average size
- Typically 20-40 inches, but can reach over 70 inches and exceed 90 pounds
- Colors
- Iridescent bluish-green on the back, fading to silver on the sides and belly. They have no prominent markings other than the lateral line.
- Diet
- Carnivorous, feeding primarily on fish (e.g., menhaden, mullet, jacks, and herrings), as well as squid and crustaceans.
- Region
- Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States, from North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico. They are also found in the Caribbean Sea and along the coasts of Central and South America.
