King mackerel
📖 Overview
Often found in outer reef areas. Larvae are encountered in surface waters of 26.3° to 31°C and 26.9 to 35 ppt. Feeds primarily on fishes with smaller quantities of penaeid shrimps and squids. Large schools have been found to migrate over considerable distances along the Atlantic US coast, water temperature permitting. It is an important species for recreational, commercial, and artisanal fisheries throughout its range. Most of the catch is processed into steaks or sold fresh, or sometimes canned and salted. Also prepared smoked and frozen . Potentially ciguatoxic in certain areas . Sometimes called "Kingfish" .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 20; Vertebrae: 41 - 43. Interpelvic process small and bifid. Swim bladder absent. Lateral line abruptly curving downward below second dorsal fin. Intestine with 2 folds and 3 limbs. Adults have no black area on the anterior part of the first dorsal fin. Juveniles with bronze spots in 5 or 6 irregular rows. Body entirely covered with scales.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for King mackerel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous ; depth range 5 - 140 m , usually 5 - 15 m . Tropical; 44°N - 22°S, 98°W - 34°W Central Atlantic: St.
🌿 Ecology
fishes with smaller quantities of penaeid shrimps and squids
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- heavy 30-80 lb class trolling rod
- conventional reel
- 80-130 lb wind-on leader
- temperature breaks
- floating debris
- current edges
- offshore seamounts
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ International management (ICCAT, WCPFC). Strict quotas and size limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"King mackerel is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 238 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for King mackerel has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (oily fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | King mackerel · Kingfish · cavalla · king mackeral |
| 🌍CES | makrela královská |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Atlantisk kongemakrel |
| 🇩🇪German | Königsmakrele |
| 🌍EST | Kavalla-kuningmakrell |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Kuningasmakrilli |
| 🇫🇷French | Maquereau · Thazard barré · thazard · thazard serra |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Sgombro reale |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Oo-sawara · Sawara · オオサワラ |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Koningsvisch · koningsmakreel |
| 🌍NOB | Kongemakrell |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Makrela kawala |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cavala · Cavala inpigem · Cavala verdadeira · Cavala-aipim · Cavala-branca · Cavala-impingem · Cavala-perna-de-moça · Cavala-preta · Cavala-sardinheira · Cavala-verdadeira · Perna-de-moça · Serra · Serra real · Serra-real |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Korolevskaya makrel · Королевская макрель · кавалла |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Carite · Carite sierra · Carito lucio · Peto · Rey · Serrucho · Sierra Monarca · carite lucio · carito · sierra |
| 🇸🇪Swedish | Kungsmakrill |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 大耳馬鮫 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cybium acervum | Cuvier | 1832 | Synonym |
| Cybium caballa | Cuvier | 1832 | Synonym |
| Cybium cavalla | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Cybium clupeoideum | Cuvier | 1832 | Synonym |
| Cybium immaculatum | Cuvier | 1832 | Synonym |
| Scomberomorus caballa | Cuvier | 1832 | Synonym |
| Scombreromorus cavalla | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 71 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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