Atlantic Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus)

Scientific name: Scomberomorus maculatus Mitchill, 1815

The Atlantic Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) is a marine fish of the family Scombridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–30°C (68–86°F).

Atlantic Spanish mackerel care at a glance

Temperature: 20–30°C (68–86°F)

Biology

Migrates in large schools over great distances along the shore. Larvae are found in surface waters between 19.6? and 29.8?C with salinities of 28.3 to 37.4 ppt. Feeds mainly on small fishes (clupeoids and anchovies), few quantities of penaeoid shrimps and cephalopods. Casting, live-bait fishing, jigging, and drift fishing are also employed in capturing this species. Aerial spotting is sometimes used in locating the fish. Marketed fresh, frozen or smoked; eaten pan-fried, broiled and baked.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Scomberomorus maculatus
Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 91.0
Depth range: 10–35 m (33–115 ft)
Environment: Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous; depth range 10 - 35 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Canada to Cape Cod to Miami (USA) and Gulf of Mexico coasts from Florida, USA to Yucatan, Mexico. Three species namely: Scomberomorus tritor in eastern Atlantic, Scomberomorus sierra in eastern Pacific, and Scomberomorus brasiliensis in the Caribbean and Atlantic coast of South America have often been confused with this species. Absent in the Bahamas.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.2-0.38; tm=2-3; Fec=280,000)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026