Bar jack (Caranx ruber)

Scientific name: Caranx ruber Bloch, 1793

The Bar jack (Caranx ruber) is a marine fish of the family Carangidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, New Jersey (USA), Bermuda, and Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil; throughout the Caribbean Sea. Most common in the West Indies.

Biology

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

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Caranx ruber
Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 59.0
Common length: 50.0
Depth range: 0–35 m (0–115 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; oceanodromous; depth range 0 - 35 m, usually 0 - 22 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: New Jersey (USA), Bermuda, and Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil; throughout the Caribbean Sea. Most common in the West Indies.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.14-0.24; tm=3; Fec=800,000)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026