Cero mackerel

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Cero mackerel
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Scombridae
Genus: Scomberomorus
Species: S. regalis
Binomial name
Scomberomorus regalis
(Bloch, 1793)

The Cero mackerel, Scomberomorus regalis, is similar in appearance and coloration to the Spanish mackerel, Scomberormorus maculata except that the Cero has a longitudinal stripe in addition to the spots of the Spanish.

The Cero reaches larger sizes than the Spanish, often 10 lb or more, but those over 30 lb are extremely rare. The first dorsal fin is black anteriorly, the lateral line descends slowly from the shoulder without the sharp break seen on the king mackerel, Scomberomorous Cavalla.

In Florida, it is rare north of Palm Beach, common throughout the Florida Keys, as it is throughout the West Indies. Fishing methods and prey are similar to those of the Spanish mackerel.

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