Teleostei (teleosts) >
Carangiformes (Jacks) >
Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos) > Caranginae
Etymology: Decapterus: Greek, deka = ten + Greek, pteron = wing, fin (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Bleeker.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 214 m (Ref. 58302), usually 30 - 70 m (Ref. 37816). Tropical; 39°N - 34°S, 180°W - 180°E
Southeast Atlantic: from Knysna to Natal, South Africa. Indian Ocean: along East Africa, Red Sea and Persian Gulf to Northwest Australia. Pacific: from South Korea, Australia and Central Pacific Islands, to Gulf of California to Peru, including Galapagos Islands (Ref. 9283). Recors in southwestern and South Australia are incorrect.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 16.8 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 35.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3197); common length : 25.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9137)
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 33 - 38; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 27 - 30. Body slender, elongate, and somewhat circular in cross section; posterior end of upper jaw concave dorsally and with a rounded protrusion ventrally; edge of shoulder girdle (cleithrum) with two small papillae, the lower one larger; dorsal and anal fin each followed by a separate finlet (Ref. 55763). Color metallic blue dorsally, silvery ventrally; fins hyaline; opercle with a small black spot (Ref. 2334). 24-40 scutes. Very slender compared to similar species (Ref. 48635).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
A predominately pelagic schooling species (Ref. 9283, 48635, 58302). Occasionally seen in small groups along reef slopes adjacent to deep water in pursuit of zooplankton (Ref. 48635). Adults feed mainly on small invertebrates (Ref. 5213). Marketed fresh and salted or dried (Ref. 9283).
Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen and J.E. Hanley, 1989. Pisces. Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Vol. 7. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 p. (Ref. 7300)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; bait: usually
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