Description: color of back
green, shading to silver on sides, golden yellow irregular spots above and
below lateral line; front of dorsal fin black; lateral line curves gently
to base of tail.
Similar Fish: cero, S.
regalis; king mackerel, S. cavalla.
Where found: INSHORE,
NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, especially over grass beds and reefs; absent from
north Florida waters in winter.
Size: average catch less
than 2 pounds (20 inches).
*Florida Record: 12 lbs.
Remarks: schooling fish
that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when
water temperature drops below 70 degrees F; spawns OFFSHORE, spring
through summer; feeds on small fish and squid.
* The Florida records
quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's
printed publication, Fishing
Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are
provided as only as a benchmark.
