Crevalle Jack

Scientific Name: Caranx hippos

Category: fish

Crevalle Jack

Brief Description

A powerful and large predatory marine fish easily recognized by its silvery compression and yellow fins.

Characteristics

Deep, compressed body, large head with a steep profile, silvery-greenish back, golden-yellow anal and caudal fins, and a distinct black spot on the operculum (gill cover).

Habitat

Found in coastal waters, bays, estuaries, and around reefs; they are often found in schools over sandy bottoms or near structures.

When to Find It

Observed year-round in tropical waters, often migrating to warmer coastal areas during summer months in temperate zones.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Ecological Role

Apex predators in coastal ecosystems that help regulate populations of smaller baitfish and crustaceans.

Easily Confused With

Horse-eye Jack (has larger eyes and no opercular spot), Yellow Jack (has a more slender body), and Amberjack (lacks the steep head profile and yellow fins).

Observation Tips

Often found schooling in aquariums or near coastal piers. In the wild, look for 'boils' on the surface of the water where they are aggressively feeding.

Interesting Facts

Crevalle Jacks are known for being exceptionally strong fighters when hooked by anglers; they can also tolerate a wide range of salinities, sometimes swimming far up into freshwater rivers.