Bluefin Trevally

Caranx melampygus

Bluefin Trevally — photo 1 of 4
Photo 1 of 4 · Florian Guyader · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
commonblackwhiteblueyellowsilverbandedbarredspottedpoisonousnocturnalschoolingsolitarycleanervery-largeopen-water
Habitat
Open water
Max size
1.2 m
Depth
0-183 m
Family
Carangidae

The bluefin trevally, also known as the bluefin jack, bluefin kingfish, bluefinned crevalle, blue ulua, omilu, and spotted trevally, is a species of large, widely distributed marine fish classified in the jack family, Carangidae. The bluefin trevally is distributed throughout the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging from Eastern Africa in the west to Central America in the east, including Japan in the north and Australia in the south. The species grows to a maximum known length of 117 centimetres (46 in) and a weight of 43.5 kilograms (96 lb), however is rare above 80 centimetres (31 in). Bluefin trevally are easily recognised by their electric blue fins, tapered snout and numerous blue and black spots on their sides. Juveniles lack these obvious colours, and must be identified by more detailed anatomical features such as fin ray and scute counts. The bluefin trevally inhabits both inshore environments such as bays, lagoons and shallow reefs, as well as deeper offshore reefs, atolls and bomboras. Juveniles prefer shallower, protected waters, even entering estuaries for short periods in some locations.

Adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.