
Also known as:
GT
Barrier trevally
Lowly trevally
Common Group Name:
Trevallies
Family Name:
Carangidae
Genus Name:
Caranx
Species Name:
Caranx ignobilis
Dispatch Method:
Beware of the sharp scutes on the tail when handling giant trevally. The eating qualities of these fish is greatly improved if they are killed immediately by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.
Fish Description:
- This species has a steep head profile, with colouration dusky golden to grey on top grading to silver/while below. Fins usually pigmented grey to black in adults.
- Juveniles can have a yellow dorsal and anal fins with white tips as well as scattered small spots on the flanks. Large adults can have scattered lighter coloured vertical bars over the dorsal surface.
- GTs are the largest of the trevallies, with a growth potential of 170 cm and 80+kg.
Fish Distribution:
- This species can be encountered throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region from the Red Sea to Hawaii.
- Adults are pelagic over sand, rock and coral, particularly common over reef edges and coral pools, while Juveniles are often found in estuaries.
- Large individuals may be ciguatoxic.
Fish Size Common Length:
30-100 cm (12-40 inches), maximum size around 170 cm (5 feet 8 inches) and 80 kg (176 lb). World record 72.8 kg (160 lb) from Kagoshima, Japan.