Species: Scomberomorus regalis, Cero, Cero Mackerel

Scomberomorus regalis (Bloch, 1793)

Cero, Cero Mackerel

Elongate, strongly compressed; snout shorter than rest of head; no fatty eyelid; rear of top jawbone exposed when mouth is closed; teeth strong, compressed, triangular or knife-like; gill rakers 12-18 (2-4+10-14); 2 dorsal fins, very close together, the first relatively low with XVII-XIX spines; second dorsal higher than first, with 16-19 (usually 17-18) rays followed by 7-9 finlets; anal fin similar in shape and height to second dorsal, with 15-20 rays followed by 7-9 finlets; pectoral fins with scales; 1 large + 2 small keels on tail base; tail fin deeply forked; no developed corselet of scales; lateral line curves gradually down towards tail base.

Back greenish blue on back, silvery white on lower sides and belly; mid-side with a broken orange stripe, 3-4 rows of small yellow spots above and below the stripe; front 1/3 of first dorsal fin black.

Size: attains 89 cm; IGFA record 8.2 kg.

Habitat: usually solitary or in small groups; common around reefs.

Depth: 0-100 m.

Massachusetts to Brazil.