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Carangids (Naucratines)


Jacks, scads, trevallies, queenfishes, runners, amberjacks, pilotfishes, pampanos and etc. are the members of the Carangidae family. The family members are made up of many highly variable body shape fish species. The carangids are distinguished from all other similar families in having the first 2 anal fin spines detached from rest of fin. These spines are sometimes partially or completely embedded in large adults of several genera, especially Seriola, Alectis, and Caranx and can only be found by dissection. Most species have spiny scutes along lateral line.

The carangids are marine fishes found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. Their habitats and behaviour are highly variable. Most of them are schooling species. Most species are fast swimming predators that hunt at or near the surface, mostly in oceanic waters, and often far offshore. Some root in sand for invertebrates and fishes.

There are altogether 30 genera and 147 species in the Carangidae family worldwide. There are 19 genera and about 61 species found in Malaysia.

The family has four subfamilies, Caranginae consist of a mixtures of 20 genera and 104 species like the threadfishes, trevallies, scads, horse mackerels, moonfishes, black pomfret, and etc. Naucratinae consist of 5 genera and 13 species also with many mixtures. Trachinotinae consist of 2 genera and 21 species of mostly pompanos. Scomberoidinae consist of 3 genera and 10 species of queenfishes (leatherjackets).

This page shows the species in the sub family Naucratinae.



Scientific Name: Elagatis bipinnulata  (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825)
English Name: Rainbow Runner
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 双带鲹 (Shuāng dài shēn), 青甘 (Qīng gān)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Pisang-pisang, Bitusan, Dung-dung
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Sunglir, Cumok, Salem
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาเหลืองโพรง (Plā h̄elụ̄xng phorng)
Main Identification Features: Body greatly elongate, almost fusiform. 2 narrow light bluish stripes along sides, with a broader yellowish stripe sandwiched between them.
Size: Maximum fork length about 110 cm, commonly to 80 cm fork length.
Habitat and Ecology: Close to reefs and well offshore, to 150 m depth. Pelagic species, found mainly near the surface and often form large schools. Feeds on invertebrates and small fishes.






Scientific Name: Seriolina nigrofasciata  (Rüppell, 1829)
English Name: Blackbanded Trevally, Blackbanded Amberjack
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 小甘鲹 (Xiǎo gān shēn), 黑甘 (Hēi gān), 油甘鱼 (Yóu gān yú)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Aji-aji, Bebatik
Bahasa Indonesia: Ikan Kuwe Hitam, Tentengkek, Datu
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาสำลี (Plā s̄ảlī)
Main Identification Features: Maxilla broadly rounded, reaching below rear margin of eye. Teeth on both jaws minute, forming a broad band. A fleshy keel is developed on the lateral line of the caudal peduncle. Anal fin base much shorter than soft dorsal fin base. Color bluish grey to black dorsally, white to dusky below. Tips of dorsal and anal fin lobes whitish. Juveniles with dark oblique bands.
Size: Maximum total length about 110 cm, commonly to 50 cm fork length.
Habitat and Ecology: Offshore reefs, 20 to 150 m depth. Feeds on demersal fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods.