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Araara (Pseudocaranx dentex) — Carangidae

Araara

Pseudocaranx dentex
Family: Carangidae
LC · Least Concern

The Araara (Pseudocaranx dentex) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carangidae that grows up to 122 cm.

Length
122 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
10.0–238.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Subtropical coastal and shelf waters of several oceans.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The white trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) is a streamlined predator of the family Carangidae occurring in subtropical seas. The species has a silvery, torpedo-shaped body, often with a yellowish lateral stripe, and can exceed one metre. Adults live in bays and coastal waters, including estuaries, and form schools near the sea bed on the continental shelf; juveniles stay in shallow water. The fish feeds on benthic invertebrates and small fishes. The species is a prized sport and food fish and is fished commercially. Schools are found both at the surface and on the bottom.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Araara?

The Araara has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Fast schooling predator with a yellowish longitudinal stripe; sought-after sport fish.

Where does the Araara live?

The Araara lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Subtropical coastal and shelf waters of several oceans.

How big does the Araara get?

The Araara grows to a maximum of about 122 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Araara dangerous to humans?

No, the Araara is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Araara edible?

Yes, the Araara is commonly eaten.

More photos

Araara (Pseudocaranx dentex) — Carangidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) mpachosgr, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Araara (Pseudocaranx dentex) — Carangidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Araara (Pseudocaranx dentex) — Carangidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) toniantal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Araara and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Araara verified
Scientific name
Pseudocaranx dentex
Family
Carangidae
Other names
Blue trevally; Blurter; Bruised-face trevally; Cavalley; Crevalley; White trevally; Silver trevally; Trevally; Guelly jack; Jack; Thicklipped jack; Jackfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
122.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
238.0 verified
Natural range
Subtropical coastal and shelf waters of several oceans. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic invertebrates and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
49.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Fast schooling predator with a yellowish longitudinal stripe; sought-after sport fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait or small lures near reefs, wrecks and rough bottoms; also with jigs on schools above the seabed. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudocaranx

More from the family Carangidae

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