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Giant Trevally
Caranx ignobilis (Forsskål, 1775)

A Giant Trevally at a depth of 12m, Rapid Horn, Osprey Reef, Coral Sea, December, 2000. View larger image.

A 26cm long Giant Trevally purchased at Sydney fish markets, August 2002. Note the long falcate (glossary) pectoral fin. View larger image.

Head of the fish in the image above. Note the large mouth and steep head profile. View larger image.

Posterior region of a Giant Trevally purchased at Sydney fish markets. Note the row of scutes (glossary) extending along the side of the fish and onto the caudal peduncle. View larger image.

The Giant Trevally can be recognised by its steep head profile, strong scutes (glossary) on the straight, posterior portion of the lateral line and its large size. It is the largest species of trevally in Australian waters, growing to 1.7m in length.

Its colouration varies from uniform silvery to almost black. It can sometimes be a dusky golden colour and have dark irregular bands on the back, but never has a dark spot on the rear of the operculum.

This species is usually seen cruising along reef dropoffs in tropical marine waters. It occurs throughout the Indo Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the New South Wales central coast.

View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.

Further reading

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.