Orange spotted trevally  (Carangoides bajad)

The orange spotted trevally has yet to be classified by the IUCN.

With a deep, flattened, streamlined body, the orange spotted trevally (Carangoides bajad) is a powerful, fast-swimming predatory fish of the jack family (Carangidae) (2) (3). This carnivorous fish is also recognised by its deeply-forked tail fin, low dorsal fin with elongated rays, and naked patch on the middle of the belly (2) (3). This beautiful fish is typically silvery-grey in colour with a scattering of conspicuous, bright orange-yellow spots along the sides (2) (4) (5). It does, however, display the remarkable ability to change its colour to become almost entirely orange, although the spotting still shows through (4).  

The orange spotted trevally is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging from Madagascar, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, across the northern Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, the Philippines and Japan (2) (4).

The orange spotted trevally is commonly found around reef slopes and stands of corals in lagoons, between depths of 2 and 50 metres. It also occurs in muddy bays, whilst juveniles are typically found in sheltered coastal bays (2). 

A strong, fast-swimming, pursuit predator, the orange spotted trevally is a dominant carnivore in its reef habitat, yet very little is known about its biology (6). It spawns in deep water, most probably in summer months (7), when large numbers of small, buoyant eggs and sperm are released for external fertilisation (3). Hatching occurs around 24 to 48 hours after spawning, with the developing fish likely remaining in the water column as part of the zooplankton community for an extended period of time (3). As the young, solitary fish develop they eventually move inshore and start exhibiting more gregarious behaviours (6).

While the extent of the threats to the orange spotted trevally is currently unclear, the species is a highly-regarded food fish and is captured in artisanal and sport fisheries across its range (3) (4) (7). In the western Indian Ocean, commercial fish stocks are thought to have been in decline since the late 1970s, due to overfishing and habitat degradation from destructive activities such as dredging (8). However, exploitation does not appear to be threatening the species at present (7).

The orange spotted trevally has not been the target of any known conservation measures.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

For more information on fish conservation, see:

• World Fisheries Trust:
  http://www.worldfish.org/

To learn more about conservation in the United Arab Emirates visit:

• The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi:
  www.ead.ae/en