Cero, King Mackerel 349 



Economic Importance: This species is an excellent food 

 fish of high market value. It is frequently taken by the 

 angler in the southern part of its range. 



Cero 

 Scomberomorus regalis (Bloch) 



Color: Dark blue above; silvery sides. Sides have yellow 



dots arranged in rows and mostly below the lateral line. 



A brown stripe goes from the pectoral fin to the base of 



the tail. The front part of the first dorsal fin is blue. 



Distribution: Occurs from Cape Cod to Brazil but most 



common off southern Florida and the West Indies. 



Size: Fish 6 feet long have been reported. It is said to 



reach a weight of 35 pounds. 



General Information: This species is uncommon north of 



Chesapeake Bay. 



Economic Importance: An excellient food and game fish. 



King Mackerel, Cavalla 

 Scomberomorus cavalla (Cuvier and Valenciennes) 



Color: Dark gray above; silvery on sides and belly. Sides 

 of small fish marked with dark gray or yellow spots which 

 disappear in larger fish. 



Distribution: Occurs in the warm waters of the North 

 Atlantic. In the western Atlantic it is found regularly from 

 Brazil to North Carolina and frequently as far north as 

 Cape Cod. A rare straggler north of Cape Cod. 



