Scientific Name
Caranx ruber

Common Name
Bar jack

Biology
Common in clear insular areas or in coral reefs off mainland coasts (Ref. 5217). Juveniles frequent areas with algae (e.g. Sargassum) (Ref. 26235). Usually in schools which may be spawning groups; occasionally solitary. Feeds on fishes, shrimps and other invertebrates. Marketed fresh (Ref. 56217). Easily approached (Ref. 9710). Large individuals have caused ciguatera when eaten (Ref. 13442).

Classification

Classified By

Bloch, 1793

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Jacks and pompanos (Carangidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: New Jersey (USA), Bermuda, and Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil; throughout the Caribbean Sea (Ref. 9626). Most common in the West Indies (Ref. 26938).

Range

35°N - 33°N, 100°W - 33°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

35 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 35 m (Ref. 40849), usually 0 - 22 m (Ref. 9710)

Trophic Level

4.39 s.e. 0.77 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

59.0 cm

Common Length

50.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (56 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.14-0.24; tm=3; Fec=800,000)

Threat To Humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated