Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, strongly compressed; snout is pointed; color bluish green above, silvery on sides and below, juveniles with yellow to bronze spots on sides; series of small finlets behind dorsal and anal fin; tail lunate in shape (forked in smaller juveniles); lateral line abruptly curves downward under 2nd dorsal fin; has 2 loose flaps of skin separating pelvic fins (interpelvic process). |
Similar Species |
King and Spanish mackerel are very similar in appearance, but the king mackerel's lateral line curves abruptly downward under 2nd dorsal, the Spanish mackerel's lateral line has a gentle downward curve; the king mackerel's 1st dorsal fin has no black area like the Spanish mackerel does. |
Habitat |
Gulf |
Maximum Size |
184 cm (6 ft), common to 78 (30 1/2 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. XV+I,15+VIII-IX (finlets); A. II,15+VIII (fInlets) (explain) |
Other Common Names |
kingfish |
Previous Scientific Names |
|
Comments |
Smaller king mackerels have gold yellow spots similar to Spanish mackerel. Confusion on this characteristics usually leads to illegal landings of undersized king mackerels. |
State size/bag limits |
Minimum size 27 in.; bag limit 3; Check for state record. |