Creature Feature – Giant Trevally
It’s Creature Feature Friday! As we head into December, each week we take a detailed look at a resident of Christmas Island. Next up is the Giant Trevally. Giant Trevallies are marine fish and members of the jack family. They are the largest of all the trevally fishes.
Taxonomy
Scientific Name: Caranx ignobilis
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Carangiformes
Family: Carangidae
Genus: Caranx
Giant Trevally Fact File
Size: Individuals can reach 1.8m in length and weigh up to 80kg
Distribution: Their range includes warm, coastal waters in the Indo-Pacific, including Africa’s eastern coast, Japan, northern Australia, and the Pacific Islands
Diet: They are opportunistic feeders, which means they feed on whatever is easiest. They are known to ambush and prey upon unsuspecting fish, squid, and even seabirds
Behaviour: Giant trevallies are strong swimmers and fierce predators who hunt most frequently in the early morning hours or late afternoon. This species is a formidable apex predator, equipped with powerful jaws and impressive speed
IUCN Status: Least Concern. Top include habitat loss, overfishing, pollution, and climate change
