Black jack (Caranx lugubris)

Scientific name: Caranx lugubris Poey, 1860

The Black jack (Caranx lugubris) is a marine fish of the family Carangidae.

Biology

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

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Caranx lugubris
Family: Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 100.0
Common length: 70.0
Depth range: 12–354 m (39–1161 ft)
Environment: Marine; benthopelagic; oceanodromous; depth range 12 - 354 m, usually 24 - 65 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Circumtropical. Western Indian Ocean: off Natal and East London in South Africa; Reunion, Mauritius and Cargados Carajos; Seychelles. Western Pacific: southern Japan to New Caledonia. Recently reported from Tonga. Western Atlantic: Bermuda and the northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: Azores, Madeira, St. Paul's Rocks, Ascension Island, Cape Verde, and Gulf of Guinea. Eastern Central Pacific: Mexico (including Revillagigedo Islands) to Costa Rica.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.12)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026