Caranx melampygus

Osteichthyes Carangidae Genus Caranx Caranx melampygus
Bluefin trevally NXM
60 cm TL
Characteristic features:
Colour:

Silvery to blackish with small peppery dark spots, adults with blue second dorsal, anal and caudal fins; pectoral fins pale yellow, pelvic fins whitish; blue spots on upper sides.

Size:

Up to 100 cm TL.

Distribution:

Indo-West Pacific in tropical waters.

Habitat:

Associated with coral and rocky reefs and offshore areas, from the surface to 190 m depth. Juveniles may occur in estuaries, lagoons and sand flats.

Biology:

Feeds primarily on fishes. Adults are found singularly, in pairs, or in small groups. Juveniles found in estuarine areas.

Indonesian fisheries:

Caught mainly by hook-and-line, traps and gillnets.

Similar species:

Distinct from all other Caranx in having head and upper half of body bronze with blue, and covered in small blue black spots; pale ventrally; second dorsal, anal, and caudal fin electric blue; other fins pale. Head and body of juveniles and young adults silvery grey and fins pale to dusky, except pectoral fins yellow.

Caranx spp.

Caranx ignobilis
Caranx ignobilis

Caranx melampygus differs to other Caranx species in having head and upper half of body bronze with blue, and covered in small blue black spots; pale ventrally; second dorsal, anal, and caudal fin electric blue; other fins pale. Head and body of juveniles and young adults silvery grey and fins pale to dusky, except pectoral fins yellow.

to Caranx spp.
External links:

FishBase
The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM