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Bicolor jack (Hemicaranx bicolor) — Carangidae

Bicolor jack

Hemicaranx bicolor
Family: Carangidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bicolor jack (Hemicaranx bicolor) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carangidae that grows up to 70 cm.

Length
70 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bumper trevally is a jack of the family Carangidae from the eastern Atlantic off West Africa. The species grows to about 70 cm and has a streamlined, laterally compressed body with a silvery underside and a darker back, and a row of hardened scales (scutes) along the rear lateral line. Adults live mainly in coastal areas and enter brackish water. As a fast predator it hunts small fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans in schools. The bumper trevally is a local food and bycatch fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bicolor jack?

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

Where does the Bicolor jack live?

The Bicolor jack lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bicolor jack get?

The Bicolor jack grows to a maximum of about 70 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Bicolor jack dangerous to humans?

No, the Bicolor jack is harmless to humans.

Is the Bicolor jack edible?

Yes, the Bicolor jack is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tweekleur-horsmakreel sourced
English name
Bicolor jack verified
Scientific name
Hemicaranx bicolor
Family
Carangidae
Other names
Bicolor jack verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hemicaranx

More from the family Carangidae

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