Golden trevally

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The golden trevally is the only member of the monotypic genus Gnathanodon, which is one of the thirty genera in the jack and horse mackerel family Carangidae, which in turn is part of the order Carangiformes.{{cite book |title=Fishes of the World |edition=5th |author1=J. S. Nelson |author2=T. C. Grande |author3=M. V. H. Wilson |year=2016 |pages=380–387 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=978-1-118-34233-6 |url=https://sites.google.com/site/fotw5th/ |access-date=2019-11-27 |archive-date=2019-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408194051/https://sites.google.com/site/fotw5th/ |url-status=dead }}

The species was scientifically described for the first time by the Swedish naturalist Peter Forsskål in 1775.{{cite book | last = Hosese | first = D.F. |author2=Bray, D.J. |author3=Paxton, J.R. |author4=Alen, G.R. | title = Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 35 (2) Fishes | publisher = CSIRO | year = 2007 | location = Sydney | pages = 1150 | isbn =978-0-643-09334-8 }} Forsskål referred the species to the genus Scomber, where many jacks were placed before the recognition of the family Carangidae. The species is initially referred with two epithets; Scomber rim, speciosus in this publication; however the following page names it as Scomber speciosus with 'rim' given as a transcription of the species' Arabic name.{{cite book|last=Forsskål|first=P.S.|title=Descriptiones Animalium Avium, Amphibiorum, Piscium, Insectorum, Vermium|year=1775|pages=54–56|editor=Niebuh, C |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2087954|language=Latin |access-date=2011-01-16|publisher=ex officina Mölleri}} Consequently, authorities regard Scomber rim as a junior synonym.{{cite web|last=California Academy of Sciences: Ichthyology |title=Catalog of Fishes |publisher=CAS |date=September 2009 |url=http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp |access-date=2011-01-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503081145/http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp |archivedate=2015-05-03 }} Forsskål's description was based on an individual from the Red Sea off Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The holotype has since been lost and a neotype was invalidly designated by Ronald Fricke in 1999.{{cite journal |last=Fricke |first=Ronald |date=May 2000 |title=Invalid neotypes |journal=Copeia |volume=2000 |issue=2 |pages=639–640 |doi=10.1643/0045-8511(2000)000[0640:ENAN]2.0.CO;2 |jstor=1448230}} The specific epithet speciosus is Latin for beautiful.{{cite book | last = van der Elst | first = Rudy |author2=Peter Borchert | title =A Guide to the Common Sea Fishes of Southern Africa | publisher = New Holland Publishers | year = 1994 | page = 142 | isbn = 1-86825-394-5 }} The species was transferred to Caranx before the Dutch ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker placed it in its own genus Gnathanodon, with this name derived from the Latin for 'toothless jaws'. In addition to Forsskål's naming, seven other later names have been ascribed to the fish, with all of these now recognised as invalid junior synonyms under ICZN rules. The species common names generally refer to its appearance with 'golden trevally' (or kingfish), 'banded trevally' and 'king trevally' used. In Hawaii the species is referred to as 'ulua paʻopaʻo' or 'papio' when small.{{FishBase | genus = Gnathanodon | species = speciosus | year = 2011 | month = January}}

A study on the phylogenetic relationships of the Carangidae-based primarily on osteology by Soko Gushiken found that Gnathanodon is closely related to and forms a monophyletic group with Caranx.{{cite journal|last=Gushiken|first=S.|year=1986|title=Phylogenetic Relationships of the Perciform Genera of the Family Carangidae|journal=Japanese Journal of Ichthyology|volume=34|issue=4|pages=443–461|issn=0021-5090}} The species has yet to be included in any molecular phylogeny study of the family.

File:Golden trevally foraging.jpgThe golden trevally is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Indian Ocean, the species is distributed from South Africa along the east African coastline, including the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Its distribution extends east along the Indian and South East Asian coastlines, and south through Indonesia and northern Australia.{{cite book | last = Hutchins | first = B. |author2=Swainston, R. | title = Sea Fishes of Southern Australia: Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers | publisher = Swainston Publishing | year = 1986 | location = Melbourne | page = 187 | isbn = 1-86252-661-3}} Golden trevally are recorded from many Indian Ocean islands including Madagascar, Seychelles and The Maldives. In the Pacific, the species is spread throughout the South East Asian and Indonesian archipelago north mainland China and Japan and south to eastern Australia and New Zealand. Golden trevally have been recorded from many central Pacific Islands, including Hawaii, with their distribution extending to Central America. Here its range extends from the Gulf of California in the north to Colombia in the south.

The golden trevally predominantly occupies inshore waters of varying substrate, although is known to occur on deeper continental shelf reefs in Australia. In coastal areas the species inhabits rocky and coral reefs as well as open sand flats where it forages for food. A systematic study in northern Australia indicated it to be one of the only species to be approximately equally distributed in both reef and soft-bottom habitats.{{cite journal|last=Travers|first=M.J. |author2=Potter, I.C. |author3=Clarke, K.R. |author4=Newman, S.J. |author5=Hutchins, J.B. |title=The inshore fish faunas over soft substrates and reefs on the tropical west coast of Australia differ and change with latitude and bioregion |journal=Journal of Biogeography |year=2010 |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=148–169 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02183.x|bibcode=2010JBiog..37..148T }} Golden trevally appear to prefer clear water to turbid waters, and thus is only encountered rarely in low turbidity estuarine environments.{{cite journal | last = Blaber | first = S.J.M. |author2=Cyrus, D.P. | title = The biology of Carangidae (Teleostei) in Natal estuaries | journal = Journal of Fish Biology | volume = 22 | issue = 2 | pages = 173–188 | year = 1983 | doi = 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1983.tb04738.x| bibcode = 1983JFBio..22..173B }} One known exception to this was the capture of several individuals in a shallow mangrove swamp in Baja California which appeared to be foraging for prey.{{cite journal|last1=Gonzalez-Acosta|first1=A.F.|last2=De la Cruz-Aguero|first2=G.|last3=De la Cruz-Aguero|first3=J.|last4=Ruiz-Campos|first4=G.|title=Unusual occurrence of Gnathanodon speciosus (Teleostei: Carangidae) in a mangrove swamp habitat of Baja California sur, Mexico |journal=Oceanides |year=2001 |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=143–144 |issn=1560-8433}}

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The golden trevally is a relatively large fish, growing to a maximum recorded size of 120 cm (47 in) in length{{cite book | last = Randall | first = John E. | title = Coastal Fishes of Oman | year = 1995 | location = Honolulu | page = 183 | isbn = 0-8248-1808-3 | publisher = University of Hawaiʻi Press | others = University of Hawaii Press }} and 15.0 kg in weight.{{cite book|last=Pepperel|first=J.|title=Fishes of the Open Ocean: A Natural History and Illustrated Guide|year=2010|publisher=University Of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-65539-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/fishesofopenocea00juli/page/n279 272]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/fishesofopenocea00juli}} It is similar to most other trevallies and jacks in having a compressed, oblong body, with the dorsal profile slightly more convex than the ventral profile, particularly anteriorly.{{cite book |last= Smith-Vaniz |first= W.|editor= Carpenter, K.E. |editor2=Niem, V.H. |title= The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific Vol 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae)|chapter-url= ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/y4160e/y4160e00.pdf|series= FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes |year= 1999|publisher= FAO|location= Rome|isbn= 92-5-104301-9|pages= 2659–2757|chapter= Carangidae|access-date=2011-01-16}} The species' mouth is one of its defining features; the mouth is highly protractile and fleshy, with specimens greater than 90 mm having no teeth on the jaws, vomer or tongue. Smaller individuals have a series of small villiform teeth in both jaws.{{cite journal | last = Lin | first = Pai-Lei |author2=Shao, Kwang-Tsao | title = A Review of the Carangid Fishes (Family Carangidae) From Taiwan with Descriptions of Four New Records | journal = Zoological Studies | volume = 38 | issue = 1 | pages = 33–68 | year = 1999 | url = http://www.sinica.edu.tw/zool/zoolstud/38.1/33-68.pdf | access-date = 2011-01-16 }} The dorsal fin is in two parts, the first with 7 spines, the second with 1 spine and 18 to 20 soft rays. The anal fin has 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 15 to 17 soft rays, while the pelvic fin consists of 1 spine and 19 to 20 soft rays. The curved part of the lateral line is moderately arched; containing 62 to 73 scales, and approximately equal in length to the straight section containing 15 to 27 scales and 18 to 25 scutes. The breast is completely scaled.{{cite journal | last = Gunn | first = John S. | title = A revision of selected genera of the family Carangidae (Pisces) from Australian waters | journal = Records of the Australian Museum Supplement| volume = 12 | pages =1–78 | year = 1990 | doi = 10.3853/j.0812-7387.12.1990.92| doi-access = free }} There are 27 to 30 gill rakers and 24 vertebrae in total.

The golden trevally's colour is the species most prominent distinguishing feature, and for which it acquired its common names. Juveniles are a bright golden yellow colour over their entire body and all fins, with 7 to 11 black vertical crossbars all over their body. These bars generally alternate between broad and narrow. The caudal fin lobes have dark tips and there is a prominent black edge to the operculum. As the fish grows, the body becomes more silver to silvery golden and the cross bars fade or disappear, often replaced by dark blotches. The fins remain yellow, often with greenish tinges. The dark edge of the operculum also fades with age.{{cite book | last = Allen | first = G.R. |author2=D.R. Robertson | title = Fishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific | url = https://archive.org/details/fishestropicalea00alle | url-access = limited | publisher = University of Hawaii Press | year = 1994 | page = [https://archive.org/details/fishestropicalea00alle/page/n357 332] | isbn =0-8248-1675-7 }}

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The golden trevally is found either as a solitary individual or in small schools as an adult. Juveniles tend to form larger schools which tend to congregate and follow ( or "pilot") larger fish such as groupers, sharks, and even jellyfish.{{cite book | last = Honebrink | first = Randy R. |year=2000 | title = A Review of the Biology of the Family Carangidae, with Emphasis on Species Found in Hawaiian Waters |location=Honolulu |publisher=Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources |series=Division of Aquatic Resources Technical Report, 20-01 |page=17 | url = http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/pubs/ulua01.pdf |access-date=2011-01-16}} This behaviour mimics that of the related pilot fish, Naucrates ductor, with their maneuverability protecting them from their hosts, which in turn provides them with protection from predation from other fish. This behaviour extends to scuba divers, with one diver reporting a single young individual obsessively stationing itself in front of his face plate.{{cite book|last=Goodson|first=G.|title=Fishes of the Pacific Coast: Alaska to Peru, including the Gulf of California and the Galapagos Islands|year=1988|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-1385-6|pages=267|author2=Weisgerber, P.J.}}

The golden trevally is a diurnal foraging carnivore which, unlike other carangids, does not normally seek out individual prey items. The highly protractile mouth possessed by the species is used to form a tube to suck prey out of both reef- and algae-dominated habitats, as well as filtering organisms out of sandy substrates.{{cite book|last=Heemstra|first=P.C.|title=Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa|url=https://archive.org/details/coastalfishessou00heem|url-access=limited|year=2004|publisher=NISC Pty Ltd|isbn=9781920033019|pages=[https://archive.org/details/coastalfishessou00heem/page/n428 488]|author2=Heemstra, E.}} In the latter case, both sand and any prey items are taken into the mouth and filtered through the gill rakers; sand is expelled, while small organisms are trapped and swallowed. The species takes a variety of prey including crustaceans such as shrimp, crabs, and amphipods, as well as molluscs and small fish. Golden trevally found inhabiting a mangrove swamp were found to have fed exclusively on fish (Mugil curema), suggesting the species also actively hunts down fleeing prey. A laboratory study using only four individuals being fed found that one fish will take the 'lead' position in this situation while another will attack the other fish in the school, apparently in competition for food.{{cite journal|last=Yamagishi|first=H.|title=Studies of the conditioned reflex in a schooling fish the golden trevally Caranx speciosus and appearance of aggressive behaviour upon conditioning|journal=Zoological Magazine (Tokyo)|year=1981|volume=90|issue=2|pages=182–188}}

A variety of parasites have been recorded from the species, including copepods,{{cite journal|last=Venmathi Maran|first=B.A.|author2=Seng, L.T. |author3=Ohtsuka, S. |author4=Nagasawa, K. |title=Records of Caligus (Crustacea: Copepoda: Caligidae) from marine fish cultured in floating cages in Malaysia with a redescription of the male of Caligus longipedis Bassett-Smith, 1898|journal=Zoological Studies|year=2009|volume=48|issue=6|pages=797–807|url=http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/48.6/797.pdf|access-date=17 January 2011}} flatworms,{{cite journal|last=Bray|first=R.A.|author2=Cribb, T.H.|title=Stephanostomum talakitok n. sp (Digenea : Acanthocolpidae) from the golden trevalley, Gnathanodon speciosus (Perciformes : Carangidae), from Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia|journal=Zootaxa|year=2006|volume=1104|pages=59–68|url=http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2006f/z01104p068f.pdf|access-date=17 January 2011|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.1104.1.5}} and a nematode which inhabits the fish's swimbladder.{{cite journal|last=Moravec|first=F.|author2=Justine, J.L.|title=Redescription of Metabronema magnum (Nematoda : Cystidicolidae), a swimbladder parasite of the carangid fish Gnathanodon speciosus off New Caledonia|journal=Folia Parasitologica|year=2007|volume=54|issue=4|pages=293–300|pmid=18303771|doi=10.14411/fp.2007.038|doi-access=free}}

Reproduction in the golden trevally has been studied in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In Hawaii, spawning occurred from late February to early October, with a peak from late April to early September. Five distinct peaks during this time were correlated with the first and third quarters of the moon. Spawning occurred from the early evening into the night.{{cite journal|last=Watson|first=W.|author2=Leis, J.M.|title=Ichthyoplankton of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii: A one-year study of the fish eggs and larvae|journal=University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program Technical Reports|year=1974|volume=UNIHI-SEAGRANT-TR-75-01}} In the Indian Ocean, in the southern Persian Gulf, spawning occurred in April and May, with defined peaks in recruitment of juveniles into the local fishery during September and October.{{cite journal|last1=Grandcourt|first1=E.M.|author2=T.Z. Al Abdessalaam|author3=F. Francis|author4=A. Al Shamsi|year=2004|title=Population biology and assessment of representatives of the family Carangidae Carangoides bajad and Gnathanodon speciosus (Forsskal, 1775), in the Southern Arabian Gulf|journal=Fisheries Research|volume=69|issue=3|pages=331–341|doi=10.1016/j.fishres.2004.06.008|bibcode=2004FishR..69..331G }} The male:female sex ratio in this population was 1:1.01, close to parity. Growth rates were also studied using otoliths in this population, with an increase in growth rate during the winter (November to April). Von Bertalanffy growth curves were also calculated for the species.

File:Golden trevally catch.jpg

The golden trevally has long been used as a food fish by humans, with archeological sites in the United Arab Emirates yielding the remains of this species dating back to prehistory.{{cite book | last = Potts | first = D.T. | title = Before the Emirates: an Archaeological and Historical Account of Developments in the Region c. 5000 BC to 676 AD in Perspectives on the United Arab Emirates | year = 1997 | pages = 28–69 | url = http://uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/02.pdf | access-date = 2012-06-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120717040537/http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/02.pdf | archive-date = 2012-07-17 | url-status = dead }} The species is still fished for using many traditional methods in the Pacific Islands, where it is netted and speared when it moves to shallower waters.{{cite book|last=Johannes|first=E.J.|title=Words of the Lagoon: Fishing and Marine Lore in the Palau District of Micronesia|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_TloVDfV7QLoC|year=1981|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0520080874|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_TloVDfV7QLoC/page/n262 245]}} On a larger commercial scale, the species is often caught using gill nets and other artisanal fish-trapping methods. The FAO catch records for golden trevally indicate it forms a regular part of the fisheries of the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain and to a much lesser extent in Australia and Singapore.{{cite web | last = Fisheries and Agricultural Organisation | title = Global Production Statistics 1950-2010 | work = Golden trevally | publisher = FAO | url = http://www.fao.org/figis/servlet/TabSelector | access-date = 2012-05-19 | archive-date = 2012-05-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120515030053/http://www.fao.org/figis/servlet/TabSelector | url-status = dead }} Records in Western Australia indicate commercial fisheries took 3.3 t of golden trevally in 2010,{{cite journal|author=Department of Fisheries|year=2011|editor2=Santoro, K.|title=State of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Report|url=http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Documents/SOFAR/state_of_the_fisheries_2010-11.pdf|journal=State of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Report|volume=2010/11|pages=328|issn=1838-4161|access-date=30 June 2012|editor1=Fletcher, W.J.}} while the catch in Queensland has fluctuated between 0.6 and 5.9 t from 1988-2005.{{cite web|last=Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry|title=Coastal Habitat Resources Information System|url=http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au/CHRIS/|publisher=The State of Queensland|access-date=30 June 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725014325/http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au/CHRIS/|archivedate=25 July 2012}} Between 2000 and 2010 the worldwide catch recorded by the FAO varied from 1187 t to 3475 t. The golden trevally is also farmed in cage aquaculture by Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia,{{cite journal|last=Feng|first=F. |author2=L.C. Lo |author3=G. Lin |author4=Z.Y. Zhu |author5=G.H. Yue|title=Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in a marine food fish species, golden trevally Gnathanodon specious|journal=Molecular Ecology Notes|year=2005|volume=5|issue=4|pages=760–761|doi=10.1111/j.1471-8286.2005.01055.x}} with spawning demonstrated in captivity in Japan.{{cite book|title=Aquaculture: Farming Aquatic Animals and Plants|year=2012|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1405188586|pages=612|author=Lucas, J.S.|author2=Southgate, P.C.}}

File:Gnathanodon speciosus Prague 2011 1.jpg Sea Aquarium]]

File:Gnathanodon speciosus and Pomacanthus imperator.png in an aquarium store]]

The golden trevally is commonly targeted by both anglers and spearfishermen, and is considered to be a gamefish. Golden trevally will take a variety of baits and lures and may be caught from both the shore and boats,{{cite book|last=Prokop|first=F.|title=Australian Fish Guide|year=2006|publisher=AFN|isbn=9781865131078|pages=288}} making it a highly accessible species. Baits commonly employed for golden trevally include prawns and a variety of small fish or cut baits. The fish are known to follow a burley stream right up to the back of a boat, allowing for easy capture on unweighted baits.{{cite book|last=Blanksby|first=K.|title=Fishing Guide to Western Australia|year=2010|publisher=AFN|isbn=9781865131689|pages=136}} A variety of lures may be employed when targeting the species, including jigs, poppers, spoons, slices, and minnows, with large minnows trolled around reefs often accounting for larger specimens. The use of saltwater fly fishing to specifically target golden trevally has developed in recent years, especially over shallow, sandy flats. In these cases, a sinking line and leader is employed to not spook the fish in these shallow waters.{{cite book|last=Cooper|first=S.|title=Fishing Techniques: Salt and Fresh Water|year=2007|publisher=AFN|isbn=9781865131061|pages=135}} Once hooked, golden trevally are known for fast runs and hard fights, especially when reef or other structures are present. Golden trevally are considered one of the best members of the trevally family for eating, with bleeding recommended. The fish has slightly translucent, dark-pink flesh while fresh, becoming white and juicy during cooking, although has a tendency to become dry, flaky, and fibrous. A rich, tangy fish flavour is noted.{{cite journal|last=Hay|first=T.|author2=A. Mikolajczyk|author3=C. Julius|author4=M. Phelan|title=Edibility Characteristics of Fish Species from NT Waters|journal=Fishnote|year=2006|volume=19|pages=1–11|url=http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Content/File/p/Fishnote/FN19.pdf|access-date=30 June 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318232853/http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Content/File/p/Fishnote/FN19.pdf|archivedate=18 March 2011}}

File:Gnathanodon speciosus just caught.jpg, Queensland, Australia]]

Juvenile golden trevally are often used in marine aquaria due to their vivid yellow colour and black banding, with larger individuals also kept in larger tanks. The development of laboratory culturing specifically for the aquarium trade has been achieved in Singapore.{{cite journal|last=Mackay|first=B.|author2=Chua, F.|title=Aquaculture of tropical marine ornamental fishes at underwater World Singapore|journal=Bulletin de l'Institut Océanographique|year=2000|volume=20|issue=1|pages=391–394|url=http://www.intaquaforum.org/PROC%20MONACO%20I/066-Mackay.doc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720061246/http://www.intaquaforum.org/PROC%20MONACO%20I/066-Mackay.doc|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 20, 2023|access-date=30 June 2012}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Commons category|Gnathanodon speciosus}}

{{Wikispecies|Gnathanodon|Gnathanodon speciosus}}

• [http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=4464 Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus)] at [http://www.fishbase.org/search.php FishBase]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110726033441/http://www.eol.org/pages/218647 Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus)] at [http://www.eol.org Encyclopaedia of Life]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121006113058/http://www.arkive.org/golden-trevally/gnathanodon-speciosus/image-G65300.html Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus)] at [https://archive.today/20160426231847/http://www.arkive.org/ ARKive]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110226184315/http://www.divearound.com.au/fish/Golden-Trevally/247 Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus)] at [http://www.divearound.com.au Dive Around]
• [http://www.sea-ex.com/fishphotos/trevally1.htm Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus)] at [http://www.sea-ex.com Sea-Ex]
• [https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4274 Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus)] at [https://fishesofaustralia.net.au fishesofaustralia.net.au]
• [https://simplifiedcurrentaffairs.in/golden-trevally-upsc/ Golden trevally]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q973207}}

golden trevally

Category:Fish of the Pacific Ocean

Category:Fish of the Indian Ocean

Category:Marine fish of East Africa

Category:Fish described in 1775

Category:Taxa named by Peter Forsskål