click for previous page

CARAN Caranx 5

1983 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: CARANGIDAE FISHING AREA 51 (W. Indian Ocean)

Caranx papuensis Alleyne & Macleay, 1877

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Caranx regularis Garman, 1903 Caranx celetus Smith, 1968

VERNACULAR NAMES:

FAO : En - Brassy trevally Fr - Carangue bronze Sp - Jurel bronceado NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: naked Body oblong, compressed; dorsal profile moderately con- area vex to second dorsal fin, ventral profile only slightly convex. Adipose eyelid weakly developed; end of upper jaw extends to below middle of eye; upper jaw with outer row of strong canines widely spaced in adults, and an inner band of small villiform teeth, widest at symphysis; lower jaw with a single row of strong conical teeth widely spaced in adults; gillrakers (including rudiments) 7 to 9 upper, 18 to 21 lower and 26 to 30 total on first gill arch. Two separate dorsal fins, the first with 8 spines, the second with 1 spine and 21 to 23 soft rays; anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 16 to 19 soft rays; total soft dorsal and anal fin rays 37 to 41; dorsal-fin lobe contained 4.1 to 5.6 times in fork length in specimens larger than 15 cm fork length. Straight part of lateral line with 0 to 3 anterior scales followed by 31 to 39 strong scutes. Breast naked ventrally, usually with a small patch of prepelvic scales. Vertebrae 10+14. common less common rare

underside of head breast types of scalation Colour: in life, adults with head and body brassy to yellowish-green above, silvery below; a conspicuous pale spot approximately diameter of pupil on shoulder just behind osterodorsal margin of opercle. Small black spots forming at about 25 cm fork length scattered on body above lateral line, becoming more numerous with age. Caudal fin with upper lobe uniformly dusky, lower lobe dusky to bright yellow with a distinct, narrow white border. Other fins pale to dusky yellow; anal and pelvic fins also with narrow white distal margins.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Caranx melampygus: breast completely scaled; lower caudal fin lobe of adults without a distinct narrow white border; and, in life, median fins electric blue.

C. sem: total soft dorsal and anal fin rays 34 to 38, rarely 38 (37 to 41, rarely 37 in C. papuensis); upper caudal fin lobe frequently with distal half noticeably dark or black, especially in juveniles, and lower lobe without a distinct narrow white border.

C. ignobilis: total gillrakers (including rudiments) on first arch 20 to 24, rarely 24 (26 to 30 in C. papuensis); general body colour silvery to black (versus bronze to yellow-green); and posterior margin of lower caudal fin lobe without a uistinct narrow white border.

Other Caranx species: breast completely scaled; upper end of opercle usually with a small to moderate black spot; and posterior margin of lower caudal fin lobe without a distinct white border.

Other species of Carangidae: lack strong scutes in the straight part of lateral line or dentition not consisting of upper jaw with an outer series of moderate to strong canines and an inner band of fine teeth, and lower jaw with a single row of teeth.

SIZE:

Maximum: verified size 68 cm fork length and 6.4 kg; common to at least 55 cm fork length.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

Indian Ocean distribution not well established, known along the African coast from South Africa to Zanzibar, the Malagasy Republic, Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. Else- where, in the Indo-West Pacific, Ryukyu Islands to Australia, arid eastward to the Caroline and Marquesas Islands.

Predominantly a seaward reef species although juveniles have been taken in estuaries; common on mainland reefs but rarely captured in offshore areas.

Feeds primarily on other fish.

PRESENT FISFIING GROUNDS:

Coastal waters throughout its range.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are not reported for this species.

Caught primarily on hook and line and by spearing; also with gillnets and other artisanal gear. Marketed fresh and dried salted. CARAN Caranx 9

1983 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: CARANGIDAE FISHING AREA 51 (W. Indian Ocean)

Caranx lugubris Poey, 1860

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Caranx ascensionis Cuvier, 1833* Caranx ishikawai Wakiya, 1924

VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO : En - Blackjack Fr - Carangue noire Sp - Jurel negro

NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:

Body oblong, compressed; dorsal profile strongly convex to second dorsal fin, ventral profile only slightly convex; profile of head relatively steep and angular. Adipose eyelid moderately developed, weak anteriorly, posterior eyelid extends onto eye to rear half of pupil; end of upper jaw extends to below middle of eye; upper jaw with outer row of strong canines widely spaced in adults, and an inner hand of small villiform teeth, widest at symphysis; lower jaw with a single row of strong conical teeth widely spaced in adults; gillrakers (including rudiments) 6 to 8 upper, 17 to 22 lower and 23 to 30 total on first gill arch. Two separate dorsal fins, the first with 8 spines, the second with 1 spine and 20 to 22 soft rays; anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 16 to 19 soft rays; total soft dorsal and anal fin rays 37 to 41; dorsal-fin lobe contained 2.3 to 5.3 times in fork length in specimens larger than 15 cm fork length. Straight part of lateral line with 26 to 32 strong scutes. Breast completely scaled. Vertebrae 10 + 14.

Colour: in life, head, body and fins essentially uniform grey to brown, median fins and lateral line scutes usually dark brown to black. Upper end of opercle frequently with dark spot, much smaller than pupil diameter.

* C. ascensionis is a technically available senior synonym of C. lugubris; however, the latter name has had much greater usage in both fishery and taxonomic literature and in the interest of nomenclatural uniformity and stability the junior name should be retained for this species DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Caranx ignobilis: breast partially naked ventrally (completely scaled in C. lugubris; total gillrakers (including rudiments) on first arch 20 to 24 (versus 23 patch of to 30, usually 26 to 28); and no small dark spot at upper end of opercle. prepelvic scales C. melampygus: body and fin coloration not essentially uniform grey to brown; and height of dorsal fin lobe usually shorter in adults, 4.2 to 6.7 times in naked fork length (versus 2.3 to 5.3). area C. sexfasciatus and C. tille: different body and fin coloration; upper jaw extends beyond posterior margin of eye (to middle of eye in C. lugubris); and height of dorsal fin lobe usually shorter in adults, 5.0 to 8.8 times in fork length (versus 2.3 to 5.3). Other Caranx species: either breast partially naked ventrally or, in adults, height of dorsal fin lobe shorter, 5.3 to 7.4 times in fork length (versus 2.3 to 5.3); additionally, none has the distinctive body and fin coloration of C. lugubris. underside of head Other species of Carangidae: lack strong scutes in the straight part of C. ignobilis lateral line or dentition not consisting of upper jaw with an outer series of moderate to strong canines and an inner band of fine teeth, and lower jaw with a single row of teeth.

C. sexfasciatus C. meglompygus SIZE: C. lugubris Maximum: largest specimen examined 73.5 cm fork length (weight not recorded).

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

Western Indian Ocean occurrence poorly established, but cer- tainly more broadly distributed than available records indicate; taken off South Africa (East London), Mozambique Channel (Europia), St. Brandon Shoals (Cargados Carajos) and the Laccadive Islands (Mini- Cory). A circumtropical species, apparently restricted to oceanic insular habitats. Uncommon in shoal areas, confined to clear, offshore waters usually at depths of 25 to 65 m. Its early life history is unknown.

Feeds primarily on fish.

PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS:

Throughout its range.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are not reported for this species.

Caught primarily on hook and line; also with traps and gillnets.

Marketed mostly fresh; also dried salted. CARAN Caranx 10

1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: CARANGIDAE FISHING AREA 51 (W. Indian Ocean)

"Caranx" para Cuvier, 1833

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Caranx kalla Cuvier, 1833 (This name has generally been misapplied to C. para) Caranx microchir Cuvier, 1833 Caranx miyakamii Wakiya, 1924

VERNACULAR NAMES:

FAO : En - Banded scad Fr - Comère ruban Sp - Macarela

NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:

Body oval, strongly compressed, with ventral profile distinctly more convex than dorsal; snout pointed. Eye diameter slightly larger than snout length, with adipose eyelid well developed on posterior half of eye only; end of upper jaw broad and slightly concave posteriorly, extending to anterior margin of pupil; upper jaw anteriorly with 2 irregular rows of short conical teeth, posteriorly inner surface of jaw paved with blunt teeth; lower jaw with a single row of short, conical teeth except 2 rows anteriorly; gillrakers including rudiments 10 to 12 upper, 27 to 32 lower and 38 to 44 total on first gill arch. Shoulder girdle (cleithrum) margin smooth, without papillae. Two separate dorsal fins, the first with 8 spines, the second with 1 spine and 23 to 26 soft rays; anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 19 to 22 soft rays; spinous dorsal fin moderately high, longest spine height about equal to length of soft dorsal fin lobe; upper lobe of caudal fin longer than lower lobe in large adults. Lateral line strongly arched anteriorly, with junction of curved and straight parts below second dorsal fin between 4th and 6th soft ray; chord of curved part of lateral line: contained 1.5 to 2.2 times in straight part (to caudal base); scales in curved part of lateral line 32 to 46; 0 to 2 scutes in curved part; straight part with 0 to 2 scales and 35 to 45 scutes; total scales and scutes in lateral line (excluding caudal scales) 72 to 86. Vertebrae 10 + 14.

Colour: in life, bluish-grey to green above, silvery below; large black spot on upper margin of opercle and adjacent area of shoulder. Dark bands sometimes evident on sides above lateral line. Caudal fin dusky to bright yellow, upper lobe with dark fringe; other fins mostly pale to hyaline. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Alepes species: superficially similar but ventral profile of body not distinctly more convex than dorsal profile; lobes of caudal fin usually symmetrical (versus upper lobe longer than lower lobe in large adults); and upper jaw with a single row of numerous, comblike teeth (upper jaw anteriorly with 2 irregular rows of short conical teeth, posteriorly inner surface of jaw paved with blunt teeth in "Caranx" para).

SIZE: Alepes Maximum: a relatively small species, largest speci- men examined 16 cm fork length, common to about 14 cm fork length.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

In the Western Indian Ocean, this locally abundant species is apparently restricted to coastal waters from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. (Records of the species, as C. kalla, from South Africa are based on misidentifications of Alepes djedaba). Elsewhere in the Indo-West Pacific; it is known from the east coast of India, Taiwan Island, Okinawa, Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

An inshore, coastal species.

Feeds primarily on planktonic crustaceans and larval fishes.

PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS:

Coastal waters throughout its range.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are not reported for this species. Caught on hook and line and by spearing; also with gillnets and other artisanal gear. Marketed fresh and dried salted. CARAN Caranx 12

1983 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: CARANGIDAE FISHING AREA 51 (W. Indian Ocean)

Caranx sem Cuvier, 1833

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Caranx williamsi J.L.B. Smith, 1968 Caranx sansun of authors

VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO : En - Blacktip trevally Fr - Carangue cocole Sp - Jurel cocolf

NATIONAL:

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:

Body oblong, compressed; dorsal profile strongly convex to second dorsal fin, ventral profile only slightly convex. Adipose eyelid moderately developed, small anteriorly, posterior eyelid extends onto eye to rear border of pupil; end of upper jaw extends to posterior edge of pupil or a little beyond; upper jaw with outer row of strong canines widely spaced in adults, and an inner band of small villiform teeth, widest at symphysis; lower jaw with a single row of strong conical teeth widely spaced in adults; gillrakers (including rudiments) 6 to 8 upper, 17 to 19 lower and 24 to 27 (rarely 24) total on first gill arch. Two separate dorsal fins, the first with 8 spines, the second with 1 spine and 19 to 21 soft rays; anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 15 to 17 soft rays; total soft dorsal and anal fin rays 34 to 38; dorsal fin lobe contained 5.3 to 7.4 times in fork length in specimens larger than 15 cm fork length. Straight part of lateral line with 0 to 4 anterior scales followed by 30 to 40 strong scutes. Breast squamation variable, completely scaled to naked ventrally but typically with a small to large patch of prepelvic scales. Vertebrae 10+14.

Colour: in life, adults with head and body dark bronze to yellow-green above, silvery bronze to yellow-green below. Caudal fin bright yellow or olive-yellow to dusky, frequently with distal half of upper lobe noticeably darker or black especially in juveniles); other fins bright yellow to yellow-olive, sometimes dusky without any yellow hue. In juveniles and young adults black pigment in upper caudal fin lobe typically present.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA:

Caranx ignobilis: total gillrakers (including rudi- ments) on first arch 20 to 24, rarely 24 (24 to 27, usually 25 or 26 in C. sem); general body colour silvery to black (versus bronze to yellow-green); and upper lobe of caudal fin usually uniformly pigmented. C. papuensis: total soft dorsal and anal fin rays 37 to 41, rarely 37 (34 to 38, rarely 38 in C. sem); upper lobe of caudal fin uniformly pigmented, and posterior margin of lower lobe with a distinct narrow white border; and adults with small black spots on body above lateral line (forming at about 25 cm fork length). C. papuensis C. luqubris: breast completely scaled (usually partially naked in C. sem); height of dorsal fin lobe usually longer in adults, contained 2.3 to 5.3 tunes in fork length (versus 5.3 to 7.4); and body and fins is essentially uniform grey to brown, frequently with a small dark spot at upper end of opercle. C. melampygus: breast completely scaled (usually partially naked in C. sem); total soft dorsal and anal fin rays 39 to 44 (versus 34 to 38, rarely 38); and small black spots scattered on head and body (forming at about 16 to 22 cm fork length). C. sexfasciatus and C. tille; breast completely scaled (usually partially naked in C. sem); a small, black spot present on upper margin of opercle; and adipose eyelid well developed, especially posteriorly. C. sexfasciatus

Other species of Carangidae: lack strong scutes in the straight part of lateral line or dentition not consisting of upper jaw with an outer series of moderate to strong canines and an inner band of fine teeth, and lower jaw with a single row of teeth.

SIZE:

Maximum: verified size 78 cm fork length and 7.7 kg.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR:

Broadly distributed in coastal waters throughout most of the Western Indian Ocean and the "Gulf", but no verified records from the Red Sea. Also known from Malaysia, Indonesia, Arafura Sea and New Britain. Prefers clean, open coastal waters; adults are particularly common in small aggregations over rocky reefs and are seldom found in turbid or estuarine waters.

Feeds primarily on fish and crustaceans.

PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS:

Inshore waters throughout its range.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION:

Separate statistics are riot reported for this species.

Caught mainly on hook and line; also with gillnets and other artisanal gear.

Marketed fresh and dried salted, CARAN Deca 1

1983

FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS

FAMILY: CARANGIDAE FISHING AREA 51 (W. Indian Ocean)

Decapterus macrosoma Bleeker, 1851

OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Decapterus lajang Bleeker (A synomym of D. russelli, but this name has often been misapplied to D. rnacrosoma) Decapterus afuerae Hildebrand, 1946

upper papilla

VERNACULAR NAMES: cleithral FAO : En - Shortfin scad margin Fr - Comère fine gill arch Sp - Macarela alicorta lower NATIONAL: gill papilla DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: filaments

Body very elongate, slender and nearly rounded. Eye moderate, with adipose eyelid well developed, completely covering eye except for a vertical slit centred on pupil; scales on top of head do not extend forward gill chamber to beyond posterior margin of pupil; oral valve (membrane) at symphysis of after lifting opercle upper jaw dusky or transparent; posterior end of upper jaw concave above, rounded and produced below; upper jaw without teeth and lower jaw with a single series of minute teeth; gillrakers (including rudiments) 10 to 12 upper, 34 to 38 lower and 43 to 50 total on first gill arch. Shoulder girdle (cleithrum) margin with 2 small papillae, the lower papilla the larger. Two widely separate dorsal fins, the first with 8 spines, the second with 1 spine and 33 to 39 soft rays (including finlet); anal firs with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 27 to 31 soft rays (including finlet); terminal dorsal and anal soft rays each consisting of a widely detached finlet; pectoral fin short (61 to 75% of head length), tip of appressed fin falling considerably short of a vertical line from second dorsal fin origin. Lateral line anteriorly with a low regular arch, with junction of curved and straight parts below second dorsal fin between 11th to 13th soft rays; scales in curved part of lateral line 58 to 72; no scutes in curved part; straight part with 14 to 29 scales, followed by 24 to 40 scutes; total scales and scutes in lateral line (excluding caudal scales) 110 to 126. Vertebrae 10+14.

Colour: in life, metallic blue above, silverly below; small black blotch on margin of opercle near upper edge. Caudal fin hyaline to dusky and dorsal fin lobe sometimes dark distally; toher fins mostly pale. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Decapterus macarellus: posterior end of upper jaw straight above, moderately rounded and slanting antero- ventrally; and scales on top of head typically extend forward to anterior margin of pupil (scales on top of head do not extend forward to beyond posterior margin of pupil in D. macrosoma). D. tabl: posterior end of upper jaw not concave above, rounded and produced below; in life, caudal fin red; straight part of lateral line with 4 to 10 anterior scales (14 to 29 in D. macrosoma); and anal fin with 24 to 26 soft rays, including finlet (versus 27 to 31 rays). D. kurroides and D. russelli: posterior end of upper jaw not concave above, rounded and produced below; tip of appressed pectoral fin extending to or nearly to a vertical line from second dorsal fin origin; straight part of D. macarellus lateral line with 0 to 4 anterior scales; and scutes in D. macrosoma straight part of lateral line much larger in height.

D. tabl

D. russelli

Atule D. macrosoma Atule mate: shoulder girdle (cleithrum) margin smooth, without papillae; terminal dorsal and anal rays joined to penultimate ray at least partially by interradial membrane; and pectoral firs of adults extend well poste- rior to a vertical line from second dorsal fin origin.

SIZE: Maximum: the smallest Indo-West Pacific speci- men of Decapterus rarely exceeds 25 cm fork length; maximum about 30 cm fork length. D. decapterus

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: in coastal waters throughout most of the Western Indian Ocean, but no reliable records from the Malagasy Republic or the "Gulf". Broadly distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, includ- ing Japan, Australia and Hawaii, and in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from Peru to the Gulf of California. A schooling species, in depths between 30 arid at least 170 m, reported to occur much deeper. Feeds primarily on smaller planktonic invertebrates.

PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: Taken incidentally throughout its range.

CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are not reported for this species. Caught with purse seines and trawls. Marketed fresh and dried salted.

click for next page