Dry Tortugas Fish Identification
King Mackerel
Family Scombridae, MACKERELS and TUNAS
Scomberomorous cavalla
![[ Sketch ]](../images/mackking.gif)
Description: color of back iridescent bluish green; sides silvery, streamlined body with tapered head; no black pigment on front of dorsal fin; lateral line starts high and drops sharply below the second dorsal fin; young fish often have yellow spots like those of the Spanish mackerel.
Similar Fish: cero, S. regalis; Spanish mackerel, S. maculatus.
Found in The Dry Tortugas: Usually in water greater than 80'
Size: common to 20 pounds.
Florida Record: 90 lbs.