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Blue trevally (Carangoides ferdau) — Carangidae

Blue trevally

Carangoides ferdau
Family: Carangidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue trevally (Carangoides ferdau) is a saltwater fish of the family Carangidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–60 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blue trevally is a jack from the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii. The species grows to about 70 cm and has a laterally compressed, silvery body with a blue-green back and sometimes faint dark cross-bars. It lives over sandy bottoms and reefs in lagoons and coastal water to about 60 metres and hunts molluscs, benthic crustaceans and small fish. It is an excellent food fish; in large specimens there are occasional reports of ciguatera. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue trevally?

The Blue trevally has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Silvery compressed body with a blue-green back; excellent food fish Caution: in tropical areas this species can cause ciguatera poisoning when eaten; large specimens of coral reef predators can accumulate the toxin. Eat with care or avoid in risk areas.

Where does the Blue trevally live?

The Blue trevally lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Indo-Pacific

How big does the Blue trevally get?

The Blue trevally grows to a maximum of about 70 cm.

Is the Blue trevally dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue trevally 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 Blue trevally edible?

Yes, the Blue trevally is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue trevally (Carangoides ferdau) — Carangidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Blue trevally (Carangoides ferdau) — Carangidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Blue trevally (Carangoides ferdau) — Carangidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) martyhing, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue trevally (Carangoides ferdau) — Carangidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jon Aull, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue trevally verified
Scientific name
Carangoides ferdau
Family
Carangidae
Other names
Ferdau's trevally; Banded trevally; Bar jack; Jack; Barred jack; Barred trevally; Blue kingfish; Feraau's cavalla; Ferdau's cavalla; Ferdy; Forskal's jackfish; Scad sourced

Appearance

Size class
Large
Max length (cm)
70.0 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Max depth (m)
60 sourced
Natural range
Indo-Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Molluscs, benthic crustaceans and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling reef predator; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Silvery compressed body with a blue-green back; excellent food fish Caution: in tropical areas this species can cause ciguatera poisoning when eaten; large specimens of coral reef predators can accumulate the toxin. Eat with care or avoid in risk areas. verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Trolling and jigging with lures 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 Carangoides

More from the family Carangidae

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