Spanish Mackerel are greenish along the back with silver sides and belly. Yellow or olive oval spots traverse the body, which is covered with very tiny scales.

Spanish Mackerel and juvenile king mackerel can be easily confused. Juvenile king mackerel will sometimes have the yellowish spots much the same as mature Spanish mackerel. A juvenile king mackerel’s lateral line dips significantly compared to a Spanish Mackerel. The dorsal fin of a Spanish will be black or very dark in color. A juvenile king’s dorsal fin will be a much lighter, more of a gray or white color.

Spanish Mackerel can also be easily confused with the cero mackerel. Spanish Mackerel and cero mackerel are generally the same size and can look very similar. Spanish Mackerel lack the distinct orange to bronze band or stripe found on cero mackerel.