Blue Trevally, Carangoides ferdau (Forsskål, 1775)

Scientific name: Carangoides ferdau
  • Updated
    27/01/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Blue Trevally Click to enlarge image
A Blue Trevally at a depth of 10m, Rapid Horn, Osprey Reef, Coral Sea, December 2000. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Carangoides
    Species
    ferdau
    Family
    Carangidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to 70 cm in length.

Introduction

The Blue Trevally inhabits coastal waters and offshore reefs. It frequently travels in large schools that are known to roam for long distances.

Identification

The Blue Trevally is a compressed fish with long curved pectoral fins and a forked tail. The snout is bluntly rounded. The dorsal profile of the head is more convex above than below.

The species is silver in colour, often with a tinge of blue-green above. There are five to six dusky bars on the side of the body and often indistinct golden spots on the upper sides.

Habitat

It is a pelagic species that occurs to depths of around 60 m.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country, and south to southern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Feeding and diet

The Blue Trevally feeds mainly on prawns, crabs and small fishes.

Economic impacts

This fish is highly sought after by both commercial and sport fishers.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  4. Smith-Vaniz, W.F. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem. 1999. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). FAO. Rome Pp. iii-v, 2069-2790.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.