Pi265 Caranx speciosus (Golden trevally)

 Pi265    Caranx speciosus (Golden trevally)

 

Phylum            : Chordata

Class                : Teleostei

Order               : Carangiformes

Family             : Carangidae

Genus              : Caranx

Species             : Caranx speciosus

 

Accepted name: Gnathanodon speciosus

Description:

        Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15 - 17. Adults occur in deep lagoon and seaward reefs where they feed by rooting for crustaceans and fossorial invertebrates in the sand but they also feed on small fishes. Small juveniles live among the tentacles of jellyfish. Adults form schools and are also noted for their behaviour to closely swim around sharks and other large fishes, and also follow divers. Juveniles particularly display this piloting behaviour to gain protection from likely predators. Marketed fresh and salted or dried. Juveniles are used in the aquarium trade.

 

IUCN Status: Least concern