There is no single worldwide count: “mackerel” is a common name used for fish in multiple genera, and usage varies by region. In the North American commercial context, four prominent types are Atlantic, Pacific (often called chub), king, and Spanish mackerel. That is a practical market grouping, not a count of every species called mackerel.
Four mackerels prominent in the North American market
The U.S. International Trade Commission groups Atlantic, Pacific/chub, king, and Spanish mackerels as commercially important examples in North America. NOAA Fisheries lists them as distinct species; scientific names help distinguish them when common names overlap.
| Common name | Scientific name | How to recognize or understand the name |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic mackerel | Scomber scombrus | Also called common mackerel, Boston mackerel, or caballa. NOAA describes its flavor as pronounced and its texture as moist and flaky. NOAA Fisheries |
| Pacific mackerel | Scomber japonicus | Also called chub mackerel. NOAA’s entry also lists “Spanish mackerel” as an alternate name, a usage that can be confused with the separate Atlantic species below. NOAA Fisheries |
| King mackerel | Scomberomorus cavalla | Can resemble a small Spanish mackerel. NOAA identifies it by a sharply dipping lateral line and a gray front dorsal fin. NOAA Fisheries |
| Spanish mackerel | Scomberomorus maculatus | Has yellow or olive oval spots. NOAA distinguishes it from king mackerel by its smaller size and the shape of its lateral line. NOAA Fisheries |
Why the total depends on what you count
More than four species carry mackerel names
NOAA also lists Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) separately, under names including chub mackerel and tinker mackerel. Keep it distinct from Pacific mackerel when discussing species: the two have different scientific names. NOAA Fisheries
Jack mackerel is not a true mackerel
Jack mackerel may be marketed alongside true mackerels because it is commercially equivalent, but it belongs to the jack family, Carangidae—not the mackerel group. Including it in a biological count would mix fish grouped by market with fish grouped by taxonomy. U.S. International Trade Commission, 2016
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Are king mackerel and Spanish mackerel the same?
No. In NOAA’s U.S. Atlantic species entries, king mackerel is Scomberomorus cavalla and Spanish mackerel is Scomberomorus maculatus. They share a genus but are different species. King mackerel has a sharply dipping lateral line and gray front dorsal fin; Spanish mackerel is smaller and has yellow or olive oval spots. The common-name complication is that NOAA’s Pacific mackerel page also lists “Spanish mackerel” as an alternate name for Scomber japonicus. For species comparisons or when buying fish, check the scientific name and the product label rather than relying on the common name alone. NOAA Fisheries
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Species-specific food facts
NOAA’s seafood entries give nutrition figures for raw 100 g servings. These figures apply to the named species and preparation basis, not to every fish sold as mackerel or to canned products.
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- Comprehensive Fish Information: Includes size, weight, location, food quality, and coloring details for accurate species identification
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| Species | Calories per raw 100 g | Protein per raw 100 g | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) | 205 | 18.6 g | NOAA Fisheries |
| King mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) | 105 | 20.28 g | NOAA Fisheries |
| Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) | 139 | 19.29 g | NOAA Fisheries |
These entries do not establish comparable nutrition values for Pacific or Atlantic chub mackerel. Nor should one species’ nutrition or sustainability information be assumed to apply to another.
Quick Recap
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- Comprehensive Fish Information: Includes size, weight, location, water temperature, fishing methods, food quality, and coloring for each species
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- 100% Waterproof Construction: Built with high-quality, weather-resistant materials to withstand the rigors of outdoor use, ensuring long-lasting reliability on every fishing trip
- Portable & Lightweight Design: Convenient, travel-friendly size fits in tackle boxes or fishing bags, allowing you to have it on hand whenever you need to identify a new species
- Versatile Gift Option: Suitable for beginners, seasoned fishermen, kids and scouts, and any outdoor enthusiasts looking to master fish identification
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- Pocket Naturalist Freshwater Fishes by James Kavanagh - 9781583551837
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