Overfishing of king and Spanish mackerel occurred in the 1980s. Each stock of Spanish mackerel does not represent discrete populations. The fish has a mild, oily taste similar to Spanish mackerel or bluefish. It is likely that these catches include a significant proportion of Japanese Spanish mackerel. Spanish mackerel are voracious, opportunistic carnivores. It is sometimes confused with Japanese Spanish mackerel, "S. niphonius". Typical fish caught include flounder, king mackerel, sheepshead, whiting, spot, spanish mackerel, drum and blues. The Spanish mackerel is also a popular sushi fish. Spanish mackerel spawn in oceanic conditions on reef edges. Off Mexico, Atlantic Spanish mackerel may be confused with Serra Spanish mackerel, "Scomberomorus brasiliensis". Spanish mackerel have prominent yellow spots on the flanks at all sizes. Japanese Spanish mackerel is an important species for fisheries in east Asia. Spanish mackerel have scores of narrow, vertical lines down their sides. Spanish mackerel are distributed from Maine to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Grouper, Spanish mackerel, and tuna constitute the bulk of the catch from offshore fishing grounds.