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Yellow jack (Carangoides bartholomaei) — Carangidae

Yellow jack

Carangoides bartholomaei
Family: Carangidae
LC · Least Concern

The Yellow jack (Carangoides bartholomaei) is a saltwater fish of the family Carangidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–50 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The yellow jack is a fast reef predator of the family Carangidae reaching about 1 metre. The streamlined body has a greenish-yellow tinge with yellow fins and a deeply forked tail, a build suited to high speed. The species lives over reefs and in clear coastal water of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean, often in schools that hunt across the reef. It seizes small fish and crustaceans. Juveniles sometimes shelter under drifting weed or jellyfish. The yellow jack is a popular sport and food fish, though the flesh of large individuals can carry ciguatera in some areas. Because of its speed and power it is favoured by anglers.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellow jack?

The Yellow jack is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Yellow jack live?

The Yellow jack lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Yellow jack get?

The Yellow jack grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Yellow jack dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellow jack is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellow jack edible?

Yes, the Yellow jack is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gele horsmakreel inferred
English name
Yellow jack verified
Scientific name
Carangoides bartholomaei
Family
Carangidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
100 verified
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
50 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten verified
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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