Animalia Life

Caranx hippos
FAMILY
Carangidae
TAXONOMY
Caranx hippos (Linnaeus, 1766), Carolina, United States.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Jack crevalle, common jack, couvalli jack; French: Carangue crevalle; Spanish: Cavalla; Portuguese: Coa.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Body deeply compressed with a steep forehead, two dorsal fins, a narrow caudal peduncle, and a slender forked caudal fin. The caudal peduncle is reinforced with a series of scutes (25–42) formed from modified bone. There are 9 spines in the first dorsal fin and 19–21 soft rays in the second dorsal fin, and 3 spines and 15–17 soft rays in the anal fin. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are both elevated. The eye has an adipose eyelid. Scales are cycloid and small. Body color is silvery to brassy, the dorsal surface olive or bluish green, and the caudal fin yellowish. There is a black spot on the gill cover at equal height with the eye. Grows to about 49 in (124 cm) in total length.
DISTRIBUTION
In the eastern Atlantic, from Portugal to Angola and into the western Mediterranean. In the western Atlantic, from Nova Scotia south to Uruguay and including the Gulf of Mexico; absent from the eastern Lesser Antilles.
HABITAT
In the lower water column on coral and rocky reefs, over mud, sand, and rubble bottoms, and into brackish estuaries, canals, and rivers.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Highly predatory, feeding upon smaller fishes, shrimp, crabs, and other macroinvertebrates. Juveniles may be preyed upon by larger fishes, wading birds, and sea birds, while adults may be taken by sharks or other large predatory fishes.
BEHAVIOR
Forms aggregations, although larger individuals are often solitary or paired.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Forms spawning aggregations at predictable locations during peak times annually, usually April thru May. Eggs and larvae are pelagic.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Highly prized as a game fish but also harvested by commercial and subsistence fisheries; also collected for display in larger aquaria. May be ciguatoxic in some areas.

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