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Amberjack (Seriolina nigrofasciata) — Carangidae

Amberjack

Seriolina nigrofasciata
Family: Carangidae
LC · Least Concern

The Amberjack (Seriolina nigrofasciata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carangidae that grows up to 78 cm.

Length
77.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
20–150 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; offshore reefs of the continental shelf.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blackbanded amberjack is a jack of the family Carangidae from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 77 cm and has a streamlined, dark to bronze body; juveniles show conspicuous oblique dark bands that fade with age. It lives mainly on offshore reefs of the continental shelf, over rocky bottoms. As a fast predator it hunts fishes, squid and crustaceans. The blackbanded amberjack is a valued sport and food fish. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Amberjack?

The Amberjack has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Juveniles with oblique dark bands that fade with age; fast offshore predator.

Where does the Amberjack live?

The Amberjack lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; offshore reefs of the continental shelf.

How big does the Amberjack get?

The Amberjack grows to a maximum of about 78 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Amberjack dangerous to humans?

No, the Amberjack is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Amberjack edible?

Yes, the Amberjack is commonly eaten.

More photos

Amberjack (Seriolina nigrofasciata) — Carangidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Kare Kare (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Amberjack (Seriolina nigrofasciata) — Carangidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Kare Kare (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Amberjack (Seriolina nigrofasciata) — Carangidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) sai_yeung_choi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Amberjack (Seriolina nigrofasciata) — Carangidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) ricktate, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Amberjack verified
Scientific name
Seriolina nigrofasciata
Family
Carangidae
Other names
Black banded kingfish; Black banded travally; Black banded trevally; Blackbanded amberjack; Blackbanded trevally; Black-banded kingfish; Black-haired trevalle; Blackbanded kingfish; Black-banded trevally; Butter amberfish; Butter amberjack; Butter yellowtail verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
77.5 verified
Average length (cm)
50 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20 verified
Max depth (m)
150 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; offshore reefs of the continental shelf.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes, squid and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Juveniles with oblique dark bands that fade with age; fast offshore predator. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Carangidae

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