CARANGIDAE


Gnathanodon speciosus, 37.7 cm SL
(from North Sulawesi, Indonesia; photo by Seishi Kimura)


Gnathanodon speciosus
(Forsskål, 1775)
Golden Trevally

D VII-VIII + I, 18-21; A II + I, 15-17; GR 7-9 + 19-22 = 27-30; V 10+14.

Body oblong, somewhat deep. Both jaws without teeth in adults, a few feeble teeth on lower jaw in young; lips fleshy and remarkably thick. Breast completely scaled; straight part of lateral line with scutes (17-26) posteriorly. Color: body silvery yellow with 7-11 black bands, usually alternating broad and narrow in juveniles and young adults; the first band oblique through eye. All fins yellow, caudal fin tips black. Size: maximum length about 1.2 m. Distribution: widely distributed in Indo-Pacific and tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. Remarks: Occurs in deep lagoon and seaward reefs. Feeds mainly on crustaceans and small fishes. Marketed fresh and dried.