Scientific Name
Scomberomorus regalis

Common Name
Cero

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 (Ref. 5521). Utilized fresh, smoked and frozen; consumed pan-fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9987). Sometimes called the "Painted Mackerel" (Ref. 13442).

Classification

Classified By

Bloch, 1793

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Mackerels, tunas, bonitos (Scombridae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA to Brazil, including the Bahamas and West Indies.

Range

41°N - 24°S, 99°W - 34°W

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

20 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 1 - 20 m (Ref. 9710), usually 1 - ? m (Ref. 55288)

Trophic Level

4.48 s.e. 0.79 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

183 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (62 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=160,000; assuming tm=2-4)

Threat To Humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 9987)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated