Giant Trevally, Caranx ignobilis (Forsskål, 1775)

Scientific name: Caranx ignobilis
Alternative name/s:
Barrier Trevally, Lowly Trevally
Caranx ignobilis Click to enlarge image
Head of the fish in the image above. Note the large mouth and steep head profile. Image: S. Reader
© S. Reader

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Caranx
    Species
    ignobilis
    Family
    Carangidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 1.7m in length.

Introduction

The Giant Trevally can be recognised by its steep head profile, strong scutes on the straight, posterior portion of the lateral line and its large size. It is the largest species of trevally in Australian waters.

Identification

The Giant Trevally can be recognised by its steep head profile, strong scutes on the straight, posterior portion of the lateral line and its large size. Its colouration varies from uniform silvery to almost black. It can sometimes be a dusky golden colour and have dark irregular bands on the back, but never has a dark spot on the rear of the operculum.

Habitat

The species is usually seen cruising along reef dropoffs in tropical marine waters.

Distribution

It occurs throughout the Indo Pacific. In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the New South Wales central coast.

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

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  6. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.