Giant trevally
📖 Overview
Adults are pelagic over sand and rock . They occur singly and inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs . They feed on crustaceans (like crabs and spiny lobsters) and fishes at night . Juveniles are found in estuaries. Large individuals may be ciguatoxic. The largest trevally reaches 1.7 m in length and a weight of over 60 kg . Spawning occurs on shallow seaward reefs and offshore banks . Sold mostly fresh and dried salted.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 21; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15 - 17; Vertebrae: 24. This species is distinguished by the following characters: gill rakers (including rudiments) 5-7 + 15-17 = 20-24; breast naked ventrally, typically with a small to large patch of prepelvic scales; colour in life of adults, head and body silvery grey to black above, usually paler below; fins usually uniformly grey to black, fish from turbid coastal waters often with yellow fins, the anal fin usually brightest . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Giant trevally is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Giant trevally is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 188 m . Tropical; 26°C - 29°C; 35°N - 37°S, 19°E - 129°W east coast of Africa to the Hawaiian and Marquesan islands, north to southern Japan (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans (like crabs and spiny lobsters) and fishes at night (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Giant trevally is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 122 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Giant trevally has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carangus hippoides | Jenkins | 1903 | Synonym |
| Caranx ekala | Cuvier | 1833 | Synonym |
| Caranx ignoblis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Caranx korab | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Caranx lessonii | Lesson | 1831 | Synonym |
| Caranx sansum | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Caranx sansun | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Scomber ignobilis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Scomber sansum | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Scomber sansun | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 31 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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