Scientific Name
Caranx lugubris

Common Name
Black jack

Biology
An oceanic and insular species, very much restricted to clear oceanic waters (Ref. 9283). Not commonly found in shallow banks (Ref. 9283). Sometimes seen near drop-off at outer edge of reefs (Ref. 26938). Occasionally forming schools. Feed on fishes at night (Ref. 5213). Eggs are pelagic (Ref. 4233). Marketed mainly fresh, also dried or salted (Ref. 9283).

Classification

Classified By

Poey, 1860

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Jacks and pompanos (Carangidae)

Distribution

Region

Circumtropical. Western Indian Ocean

Distribution

Circumtropical. Western Indian Ocean: off Natal and East London in South Africa (Ref. 3197, 11228); Reunion, Mauritius and Cargados Carajos (Ref. 33390); Seychelles (Ref. 10685). Western Pacific: southern Japan to New Caledonia. Recently reported from Tonga (Ref. 53797). Western Atlantic: Bermuda and the northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Azores, Madeira, St. Paul's Rocks (Ref. 13121), Ascension Island, Cape Verde, and Gulf of Guinea. Eastern Central Pacific: Mexico (including Revillagigedo Islands) to Costa Rica.

Range

30°N - 30°S, 180°W - 180°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

12 m

Depth To - meters

354 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; benthopelagic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 12 - 354 m (Ref. 9710), usually 24 - 65 m (Ref. 5217)

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.80 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

70.0 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: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (36 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.12)

Threat To Humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 9710)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated