Blue Trevally, Carangoides ferdau (Forsskål, 1775)

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.