Biologists distinguish 18 species of Spanish mackerel. Perhaps the most famous species are wahoo, king mackerel, atlantic Spanish mackerel, cero mackerel and narrow-barred Spanish mackerel.

The atlantic Spanish mackerel have a green dorsal area with silver sides and underside. Their scales are extremely small. Spanish mackerel have yellow or greenish spots all over their body, which sets them apart from cero mackerel (Scomberomorus regalis), who instead have yellow streaks on their side. Atlantic Spanish mackerel are smaller than king mackerel and are missing a partial streak that the king mackerel have. Spanish mackerel grow up to 13 pounds (6kg) and live up to 12 years old. They begin to breed at the age of two.

Another smililar species is the king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) who have a lateral line that takes an abrupt drop at mid-body; In contrast that of the Spanish mackerel and cero mackerel curves gently from the top edge of the gill to the tail.

In the Indo-Pacific waters the Spanish mackerel variety is the narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) who have a banded pattern, narrow dark blue or black bars running vertically along the body. Narrow-barred Spanish mackrel can grow up to about 2.4 m and more than 40 kg.

They generally prey on smaller fish such as herring, menhaden, mullet, anchovies and sardines. They’re the prey of dolphins, sharks, and larger fish such as marlin.

Spanish mackerel are found in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, generally off the eastern coast of the United States. They generally stay close to the surface of the water and are known to trap schools of baitfish against the surface of the water.