Bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus)

Scientific name: Caranx sexfasciatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1825

The Bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Carangidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 26–29°C (79–84°F).

Bigeye trevally care at a glance

Temperature: 26–29°C (79–84°F)

Biology

Inhabit coastal and oceanic waters associated with reefs. Occasionally enter rivers. Pelagic at 1-96 m. Adults are found in coral reefs and are mostly active at night or during twilight periods. During the day they are usually seen milling in stationary aggregations. Juveniles may be encountered in estuaries, occasionally entering rivers and penetrating well inland. Form slow-moving schools in the passes or outside the reef during the day, dispersing at night feed. Feed mainly on fishes and crustaceans. Marketed fresh, dried or salted and frozen. Consumed broiled and baked.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Caranx sexfasciatus
Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 120
Common length: 60.0
Depth range: 0–146 m (0–479 ft)
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; amphidromous; depth range 0 - 146 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, north to southern Japan and the Ogasawara Islands, south to Australia and New Caledonia. Eastern Pacific: southwestern coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico and the Gulf of California to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.24)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026