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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish ⚡ Reports of ciguatera poisoning 🌡️ Subtropical

Crevalle jack

Caranx hippos Linnaeus, 1766
Max Length
124 cm
Max Weight
32.0 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
1–350 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
41.00/100
Typical Length
75 cm
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Generally in neritic waters over the continental shelf , from the coastline, where it is common on shallow flats, to offshore waters . Adults ascend rivers . Juveniles abundant in brackish estuaries with muddy bottoms, near sandy beaches and on seagrass beds , entering lagoons and lower courses of rivers , and in mangrove areas . They form fast-moving schools, although larger fish may be solitary. They feed on smaller fish, shrimp, and other invertebrates . Often grunts or croaks are heard when caught. Eggs are pelagic .

Scientific Name
Caranx hippos
Authority
Linnaeus, 1766
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
124 cm
Max Weight
32 kg
Depth Range
1–350 m
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
41.00/100
Migration
Oceanodromous
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15 - 18. Diagnosis: Scutes on lateral line 23 to 42 . No scales on chest , except a small mid-ventral patch in front of pelvic fins . Upper profile of head steep . Maxilla ending approximately below or beyond posterior edge of eye (in adult). Front of soft dorsal and anal fins elevated; olivaceous to bluish green dorsally, silvery to brassy on the sides; prominent black spot posteriorly on gill cover at level of eye, another at upper axil of pectoral fins, and often a third on lower pectoral rays; caudal yellowish . : fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Crevalle jack is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Crevalle jack is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
66cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; oceanodromous ; depth range 1 - 350 m , usually 1 - 200 m . Subtropical Atlantic Ocean, restricted to continental shelf areas.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish 🐟 Pelagic
Migration
Oceanodromous
Trophic Level
3.6±0.4
🐠 Schooling 🧍 Solitary
Food Items

smaller fish, shrimp, and other invertebrates (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01622 × L2.96 (TL)
Max TL
124cm
Max Weight
32,000g
Dorsal Spines
9
Dorsal Rays
21
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
17

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
41.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Linnaeus, 1766

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Crevalle jack is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 20.9 g
Omega-3 (total) 218 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Crevalle jack has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Carangus esculentus Girard 1859 Synonym
Carangus hippos Linnaeus 1766 Synonym
Caranx antilliarum Bennett 1840 Synonym
Caranx carangua Lacepède 1801 Synonym
Caranx carangus Bloch 1793 Synonym
Caranx defensor DeKay 1842 Synonym
Caranx erythrurus Lacepède 1801 Synonym
Caranx esculentus Girard 1859 Synonym
Caranx hippos caninus Günther 1867 Synonym
Caranx hippos hippos Linnaeus 1766 Synonym
Caranx hippos tropicus Nichols 1920 Synonym
Caranx hippus Linnaeus 1766 Synonym
Carnax hippos Linnaeus 1766 Synonym
Scomber carangus Bloch 1793 Synonym
Scomber hippos Linnaeus 1766 Synonym
Trachurus cordyla Gronow 1854 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1,048 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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