“King fish” is a common term that refers to several distinct species of fast-swimming, predatory marine fish, which can lead to ambiguity. These fish are recognized by anglers for sport and by consumers for their culinary value.
Defining “King Fish”
The term “king fish” primarily applies to the King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla). However, it also encompasses species like the Northern Kingfish (Menticirrhus saxatilis), Southern Kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus), and Gulf Kingfish (Menticirrhus littoralis). These Menticirrhus species belong to a different family, Sciaenidae, known as the drum or croaker family. King Mackerel is the most frequently referenced “king fish” in sport fishing and commercial markets, largely due to its size and popularity.
King Mackerel is a migratory species found in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, preferring warmer waters between 20 to 29 °C (68 to 84 °F). The Menticirrhus species are found in warm American Atlantic coastal waters. Northern Kingfish range from the Gulf of Maine to southern Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Southern Kingfish are found from New York to Texas and Yucatán to Argentina. Gulf Kingfish inhabit coastal waters from Virginia down to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico.
Key Characteristics and Habitat
King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) possess streamlined, torpedo-like bodies, ideal for swift movement through water. Their coloration is typically olive or iridescent black on the back, fading to silver with a rosy iridescence on the sides and white on the belly. They have sharp, pointed teeth for predation and a distinct lateral line that dips sharply at mid-body. These fish generally range from 5 kg to 14 kg, though some can exceed 40 kg.
King Mackerel prefer coastal pelagic environments, living in open waters near the coast, often at depths of 12–45 meters (40–150 feet). They are migratory, moving with seasonal changes in water temperature and food availability. Populations migrate north in summer and south in winter, forming large schools.
The Menticirrhus species exhibit different characteristics. Southern Kingfish have a grayish-brown back, silvery sides, and often possess 7 to 8 indistinct diagonal dark blotches. Northern Kingfish are slender with a silver-gray or silver-brown/tan body and dark oblique bars, some forming a “V” shape. Gulf Kingfish are silvery all over, lacking dark marks, and their caudal fin often has a blackish tip.
These kingfish species inhabit shallow coastal waters, often over sandy or muddy bottoms. Southern Kingfish are common in surf zones, shallow coastal waters with muddy-sand bottoms, and high-salinity bays and estuaries. Gulf Kingfish are almost entirely surf species. Northern Kingfish can be found in sand or mud seabed areas, surf zones, and estuaries, tolerating low salinity levels.
Ecological Role and Importance
King Mackerel are opportunistic carnivores, playing a role as top predators in their ecosystem. Their diet primarily consists of smaller fish such as menhaden, sardines, anchovies, and jacks, but they also consume squid and shrimp. These fish are known for their voracious feeding habits, often pursuing prey with speed and agility. They contribute to maintaining balanced populations of smaller fish species.
King Mackerel are important for recreational and commercial fishing. They are a popular game fish, known for their powerful runs and sought after in sportfishing tournaments. Recreational anglers catch them by trolling with live or dead baitfish or artificial lures. Commercial fisheries use gill nets and trolling.
The Menticirrhus kingfish species, while generally smaller, also hold ecological and economic value. They are benthic feeders, consuming a range of invertebrates. This diet places them within the food web as consumers of smaller organisms.
These smaller kingfish species are commercially important. They are also popular with recreational anglers and are valued for their white meat. Their presence contributes to coastal ecosystems and local economies.