Fish body is long with a silvery base color and a forked tail. Dorsal side will be silvery-greenish while belly is pale. Irregular yellow-gold spots are on its flanks. Front of first dorsal fin has black blotch. Lateral line gently slopes from behind gill cover to tail.Series of small finlets behind the second dorsal fin and anal fin.
Average Maximum Size:
91cm (36 in)
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
Spanish and King mackerel are very similar in appearance, but the King Mackerel's lateral line curves abruptly downward under second dorsal, while the Spanish Mackerel's lateral line has a gentle downward curve. Spanish Mackerel's second dorsal fin has a blackish area that's absent in King Mackerel.
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
Range:
Massachusetts to Yucatan
Habitat:
Mainly in open waters over the continental shelfs, but will in occasion enter estuaries.
