Cero (Scomberomorus regalis)

Scientific name: Scomberomorus regalis Bloch, 1793

The Cero (Scomberomorus regalis) is a marine fish of the family Scombridae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Massachusetts, USA to Brazil, including the Bahamas and West Indies.

Biology

Most abundant in clear waters around coral reefs, occasionally forming schools. Feeds on clupeoids (Harengula, Jenkinsia and Opisthonema) and atherinids (Allanetta [= Craterocephalus), squids and shrimps. Good food and game fish. Utilized fresh, smoked and frozen; consumed pan-fried, broiled and baked. Sometimes called the "Painted Mackerel".

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Scomberomorus regalis
Family: Scombridae (Mackerels, tunas, bonitos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 183
Depth range: 1–20 m (3–66 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; oceanodromous; depth range 1 - 20 m, usually 1 - ? m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA to Brazil, including the Bahamas and West Indies.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=160,000; assuming tm=2-4)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026