📖 Overview
Adults are common along coastal reef slopes or around large coral heads in lagoons . A xanthic form often seen in muddy bays mixes in schools . Juveniles solitary in sheltered coastal basys .
Scientific Name
Flavocaranx bajad
Authority
Fabricius, 1775
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24 - 26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 22 - 24. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Orangespotted trevally is currently being
reviewed.
🦐 Diet
small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods
🥚 Reproduction
Size at Maturity
24.7cm TL
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 70 m . Tropical; 35°N - 8°S, 33°E - 150°E West Pacific: Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman to Indonesia, the Gulf of Thailand, the Philippines, and Okinawa, Japan.
🌿 Ecology
Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine
🪸 Reef Associated
🐠 Schooling
🧍 Solitary
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.01288 × L2.96
(TL)
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Least Concern
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
39.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.3
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Latitude Range
35°N
–
8°S
Described By
Fabricius, 1775
🎣 Angling Guide
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing
popping cork
soft plastics
live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp
cut mullet
soft plastic paddle-tails
popping corks
Recommended Tackle
-
medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
-
30-50 lb braid
-
fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
-
grass flats
-
oyster bars
-
marsh drains
-
deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
Regulations Summary
⚠️
Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Flavocaranx Bajad 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 |
20.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) |
175 mg
|
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Orangespotted trevally 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
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year |
Region |
Index |
Notes |
| - |
- |
- |
|