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Crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) — Carangidae

Crevalle jack

Caranx hippos
Family: Carangidae
LC · Least Concern

The Crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) is a saltwater fish of the family Carangidae that grows up to 124 cm.

Length
124 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–350.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The crevalle jack is a robust, deep-bodied jack of the family Carangidae reaching about 1.2 metres. The silvery, laterally compressed body has a steep head profile, a black spot on the gill cover and on the pectoral fin, and the hard scutes along the caudal peduncle typical of jacks; the tail is deeply crescent-shaped. The species lives pelagically in coastal and surface water of the Atlantic on both sides, in the east from West Africa into the Mediterranean. In fast, hunting schools it drives schooling fish, shrimps and squid. The crevalle jack is a powerful, valued sport and food fish that fights hard on the line.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crevalle jack?

The Crevalle jack has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Crevalle jack live?

The Crevalle jack lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Crevalle jack get?

The Crevalle jack grows to a maximum of about 124 cm. On average the species is around 75 cm.

Is the Crevalle jack dangerous to humans?

No, the Crevalle jack is harmless to humans.

Is the Crevalle jack edible?

Yes, the Crevalle jack is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Crevalle-makreel inferred
English name
Crevalle jack verified
Scientific name
Caranx hippos
Family
Carangidae
Other names
Blacktailed trevally; Black-tailed trevally; Cabali; Cabalo; Carangue verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
124.0 verified
Average length (cm)
75.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped verified
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) 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
Open water verified
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
350.0 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
Fishing method
Slepend vissen of werpen met kunstaas in kustwater; een krachtige, sportieve vechtvis sourced
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 Caranx

More from the family Carangidae

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