Family: CARANGIDAE, Amberjacks, Crevalles, Jack Mackerels, Jack Scad Pompano, Jacks, Leatherjackets, Lookdowns, Pilotfishes, Pompanos, Scads, Trevallies
C v forked
FAMILY CARANGIDAE
JACKS, AMBERJACKS, CREVALLES, JACK MACKERELS, LEATHERJACKETS, LOOKDOWNS, PILOTFISHES, POMPANOS, SCADS, TREVALLIES
Jacks generally are silvery in color; they exhibit a wide size range (~ 30-170 cm); body shapes vary considerably but most are midwater swimmers with streamlined compressed bodies, teeth are variable in shape and number; gill opening large; opercular bones are smooth (spiny in juveniles and larvae); dorsal and anal fins usually low, but often have elongated rays on the front; dorsal fin IV-VIII + I, 18-39; anal fin with first two spines detached from the rest of fin, II (I-II) + I, 15-31; one or more of dorsal and anal spines often tiny or embedded; in some genera there are finlets after the main dorsal and anal fins; tail base slender; tail strongly forked; scales small, smooth to rough to needlelike; most genera with scales of the rear part of the lateral line forming spiny, plate-like scutes.
The family Carangidae contains about 30 genera and approximately 152 species. Jacks are well represented in all tropical and subtropical seas. In our area there are 33 species from 16 genera.
PREPARED BY D ROSS ROBERTSON, AFTER SMITH-VANIZ (2002)
