| Family: |
Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos), subfamily: Trachinotinae |
| Max. size: |
200 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 50 kg |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: southern Bay of Biscay to South Africa, including the Mediterranean. Western Indian Ocean: South Africa to Maputo Bay, Maputo (Mozambique).. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-21; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 17-21. Diagnosis: body elongate, moderately deep and compressed; dorsal profile of head almost straight, ending in a pointed snout; eyes relatively small; upper jaw slender and rounded posteriorly, ending below or beyond posterior eye margin; 2 dorsal fins, 1st with 7 spines with only their bases connected by a membrane, 2nd with 1 spine and 19-21 soft rays; anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 17-21 soft rays; pectoral fins short, comprised 1.5-1.8 times in head length; scales small, those on breast oval to strongly lanceolate, and partially embedded in the skin; lateral line very irregular and wavy, describing a convex curve over, and a concave curve behind pectoral fins; no lateral-line scutes (Ref. 57392). Brown above, silvery white below lateral line; lobes of dorsal and anal fins black distally; juveniles (to at least 12 cm fork length) with brownish black bars on sides (Ref. 3197, 57392). |
| Biology: |
Marine, coastal pelagic species (Ref. 57392). Adults are found in coastal waters including estuaries. Occasionally entering lower reaches of rivers like the Kunene and Orange Rivers in Namibia (Ref. 52863). Juveniles often entering estuaries (Ref. 57392). Feed mainly on fish; juveniles prefer crustaceans (Ref. 4332). Eggs are pelagic (Ref. 4233). Popular game fish (Ref. 3197). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 May 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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