# Blue trevally

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Species of ray-finned fish

Blue trevally Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Carangiformes Suborder: Carangoidei Family: Carangidae Genus: Ferdauia Species: F. ferdau Binomial name Ferdauia ferdau (Forsskål, 1775) Approximate range of the blue trevally Synonyms[2] Scomber ferdau Forsskål, 1775 Caranx ferdau (Forsskål, 1775) Carangoides ferdau (Forsskål, 1775) Carangoides hemigymnostethus Bleeker, 1851 Caranx hemigymnostethus (Bleeker, 1851) Caranx laticaudis Alleyne & Macleay, 1877 Carangoides laticaudis (Alleyne & Macleay, 1877) Caranx gilberti Jordan & Seale, 1906 Ferdauia lindemanensis Whitley, 1951

The **blue trevally** (***Ferdauia ferdau***), also known as the **banded trevally**, **barred trevally**, **Ferdau's trevally** or **Forskaal's jackfish**, is a common, widespread species of [pelagic](/source/Pelagic) [marine fish](/source/Marine_fish) classified in the jack [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)), [Carangidae](/source/Carangidae). The blue trevally is distributed throughout the [tropical](/source/Tropical) and subtropical waters of the [Indo-Pacific](/source/Indo-Pacific) and [central Pacific](/source/Pacific_Ocean) regions, ranging from [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) in the west to [Hawaii](/source/Hawaii) in the east. It is a moderately large fish, growing to a recorded maximum length of 70 cm, with the number of rays in the second [dorsal fin](/source/Dorsal_fin) and the colouring serving as diagnostic features of the species. The species inhabits waters to depths of 60 m, generally inhabiting [reefs](/source/Reef), [beaches](/source/Beach), [lagoons](/source/Lagoon), and areas with sandy substrates. It is a predatory fish, taking other fish, [prawns](/source/Prawn), [crabs](/source/Crab), and [molluscs](/source/Mollusc), and very little is known of the species' [reproductive biology](/source/Reproductive_biology). The blue trevally is of varying importance to [fisheries](/source/Fisheries) throughout its range, with some regions having high catches of the fish. It is considered to be a [gamefish](/source/Gamefish), and is sought after for its excellent [eating qualities](/source/Table_fish).

## Taxonomy and naming

The blue trevally is classified within the genus *[Ferdauia](/source/Ferdauia)*. *Ferdauia* falls into the jack and horse mackerel family [Carangidae](/source/Carangidae), and Carangidae is part of the [order](/source/Order_(biology)) [Carangiformes](/source/Carangiformes).[3]

The species was first described by the Swedish [naturalist](/source/Naturalist) [Peter Forsskål](/source/Peter_Forssk%C3%A5l) in 1775 based on a specimen taken from the [Red Sea](/source/Red_Sea).[4] He named the species *Scomber ferdau*, thus relating it to the [mackerels](/source/Scomber) before the family Carangidae was bought into existence with the creation of [Lacépède](/source/Bernard_Germain_de_Lac%C3%A9p%C3%A8de)'s genus *[Caranx](/source/Caranx)*. With the advent of carangid taxonomy, the species was transferred first to *Caranx* and later to *Carangoides*, and is now placed in the genus *Ferdauia* together with the [island trevally](/source/Island_trevally) (*Ferdauia orthogrammus*).[5][2] The species was independently described and named a number of times after its initial naming, with this and confusion with *F. orthogrammus* in the Indo-Pacific giving rise to a complex history of synonymies. These later names were often transferred between genera before being finally sunk into the name *Ferdauia ferdau* and as such are considered to be invalid [junior synonyms](/source/Junior_synonym). The specific [epithet](/source/Epithet) *ferdau* refers to a person named Ferdau, probably the collector of the [holotype](/source/Holotype) specimen.[6]

## Description

A darker-pigmented individual

The blue trevally is a moderately large fish, growing to a recorded maximum length of 70 cm and a weight of 8 kg.[2] The species has a compressed, oblong body, with the [dorsal](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location#Dorsal_and_ventral) profile more convex than the ventral profile. The snout is bluntly rounded, resembling the snouts of the pompanos of the genus *[Trachinotus](/source/Trachinotus)* and the lips of adults are notably fleshy.[7] Two separate [dorsal fins](/source/Dorsal_fin) are found, the first having eight [spines](/source/Fish_anatomy#Spines_and_rays), while the second consists of one spine and 26 to 34 [soft rays](/source/Fish_anatomy#Spines_and_rays). In young adults, the lobe of the second dorsal fin is often falcate, but usually shorter than the head length. The anal fin has two [anteriorly](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location#Anterior_and_posterior) detached spines followed by a single spine attached to 21 to 26 soft rays, while the [pelvic fin](/source/Pelvic_fin) has one spine attached to 20 or 21 soft rays.[8] The [lateral line](/source/Lateral_line) has a gentle anterior arch, with the junction of the curved and straight sections vertically below the 15th to 20th soft rays of the second dorsal fin. The curved section of the lateral line contains 82 to 90 [scales](/source/Scale_(zoology)), while the straight section has 12 to 17 scales and 26 to 31 [scutes](/source/Scute).[8] The breast is naked ventrally to origin of the pelvic fins and the base of the [pectoral fins](/source/Pectoral_fin), but is interrupted laterally by a moderate band of scales. The upper jaw is highly protractile, containing narrow bands of [villiform](/source/Ichthyology_terms#V) teeth, which become [obsolescent](/source/Obsolescent) with age, as is the case in the lower [jaw](/source/Jaw).[7] It has a total of 24 to 29 [gill rakers](/source/Gill_raker) and 24 [vertebrae](/source/Vertebrae).[9]

The body is a blue-green to yellow-green above, becoming silvery below, with adults having five or six dusky vertical bands which usually persist after death.[9] Numerous, inconspicuous golden spots often are present on the sides, mostly above the level of the pectoral fins. The soft dorsal and anal fins are pale yellowish-green, and the anterior lobes of both often have white to blue tips. The [caudal fin](/source/Caudal_fin) is yellow green, having a dark trailing edge and tips, while the pelvic fins are whitish to [hyaline](/source/Hyaline).[10]

## Distribution and habitat

A blue trevally patrolling a Micronesian reef

The blue trevally has a wide distribution, inhabiting the [tropical](/source/Tropical) and subtropical waters of the [Indian](/source/Indian_Ocean), [West Pacific](/source/West_Pacific) and [Central Pacific](/source/Central_Pacific_Area) Oceans.[10] It ranges from [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) in the west, north along the [East African](/source/East_Africa) coast to the Red Sea and across to [India](/source/India) and [Southeast Asia](/source/Southeast_Asia). The species ranges south to [Australia](/source/Australia) and [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia), and as far as [Japan](/source/Japan), [Hawaii](/source/Hawaii), and a number of Pacific islands, including [Micronesia](/source/Micronesia), [New Caledonia](/source/New_Caledonia), and [Tonga](/source/Tonga).[2]

The blue trevally inhabits [coastal](/source/Coastal) waters to a depth of 60 m, over [reefs](/source/Reef), [beaches](/source/Beach),[11] [lagoons](/source/Lagoon), and areas with sandy substrates. The species lives [pelagically](/source/Pelagic), allowing movement between islands and [atolls](/source/Atoll).[10] It is rarely found in [estuaries](/source/Estuaries), suggesting a poor tolerance to low salinities.[6]

## Biology and fishery

A young blue trevally with its jellyfish *[Thysanostoma loriferum](/source/Thysanostoma_loriferum)*.

Like many Indo-Pacific carangids, the biology and [ecology](/source/Ecology) of the blue trevally is poorly known, with the only data on the species relating to its diet. It is a fast-swimming [predator](/source/Predator) which often forms small [schools](/source/Shoaling_and_schooling), and takes a variety of small fish (specifically [mackerel](/source/Mackerel) and [filefish](/source/Filefish)),[12] [crustaceans](/source/Crustaceans) including [prawns](/source/Prawns), [crabs](/source/Crabs), and [sea lice](/source/Sea_lice), soft [molluscs](/source/Mollusc), and other soft prey.[6] In Hawaii, they have been observed following foraging [bonefish](/source/Bonefish) or [goatfish](/source/Goatfish), consuming any scraps uncovered by the foragers.[13] The species appears to be in constant abundance all year, but ripe individuals have rarely been reported. No information regarding the [reproduction](/source/Reproduction) and growth of the species is available, although [larvae](/source/Larva) of the species are known to appear during February in the waters off Taiwan, suggesting a December [spawning](/source/Spawn_(biology)) period, and make up a high proportion of the larval abundance.[14] Juveniles are known to sometimes shelter among the tentacles of large pelagic [jellyfish](/source/Jellyfish).[13]

The species is of [commercial importance](/source/Fishery) in a number of areas due to its high abundance, or more often taken as bycatch in other major fisheries. Catch statistics for the individual species are rarely kept, though, and it is generally grouped with other trevallies. It is caught mainly on hook and line and with [gill nets](/source/Gill_net) and various traps.[7] In South Africa, it is considered a popular [gamefish](/source/Gamefish), and is often taken by anglers using various small baits, with the best catches had at dawn and dusk.[6] It is considered to be an excellent [table fish](/source/Table_fish), although [ciguatera](/source/Ciguatera) poisoning attributed to this fish has been reported rarely.[2]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-iucn_1-0)** Smith-Vaniz, W.F. & Williams, I. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. ["*Carangoides ferdau*"](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/20429455/115372940). *[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species](/source/IUCN_Red_List)*. **2016** e.T20429455A115372940. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20429455A46664064.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20429455A46664064.en). Retrieved 12 November 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-fishbase_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-fishbase_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-fishbase_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-fishbase_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-fishbase_2-4) [Froese, Rainer](/source/Rainer_Froese); [Pauly, Daniel](/source/Daniel_Pauly) (eds.). ["*Ferdauia ferdau*"](https://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?genusname=Ferdauia&speciesname=ferdau). *[FishBase](/source/FishBase)*. February 2026 version.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Nelson5_3-0)** J. S. Nelson; T. C. Grande; M. V. H. Wilson (2016). [*Fishes of the World*](https://web.archive.org/web/20190408194051/https://sites.google.com/site/fotw5th/) (5th ed.). Wiley. pp. 380–387. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-118-34233-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-118-34233-6). Archived from [the original](https://sites.google.com/site/fotw5th/) on 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2019-11-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Zoocat_4-0)** Hosese, D.F.; Bray, D.J.; Paxton, J.R.; Alen, G.R. (2007). *Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 35 (2) Fishes*. Sydney: CSIRO. p. 1150. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-643-09334-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-643-09334-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ECoF_species_5-0)** Fricke, Ron; [Eschmeyer, William N.](/source/William_N._Eschmeyer) & van der Laan, Richard, eds. (12 February 2026). ["Species in the genus *Carangichthys*"](http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatget.asp?tbl=species&genus=Carangichthys). *[Catalog of Fishes](/source/Catalog_of_Fishes)*. [California Academy of Sciences](/source/California_Academy_of_Sciences).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SAfrica_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SAfrica_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-SAfrica_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-SAfrica_6-3) van der Elst, Rudy; Peter Borchert (1994). *A Guide to the Common Sea Fishes of Southern Africa*. New Holland Publishers. p. 142. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-86825-394-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-86825-394-5).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FAO_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FAO_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FAO_7-2) Carpenter, Kent E.; Volker H. Niem, eds. (2001). [*FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 4: Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae)*](ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/x2400e/x2400e52.pdf) (PDF). Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. p. 2694. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [92-5-104587-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/92-5-104587-9). {{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: |website= ignored ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#periodical_ignored))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Lin1999_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Lin1999_8-1) Lin, Pai-Lei; Shao, Kwang-Tsao (1999). ["A Review of the Carangid Fishes (Family Carangidae) From Taiwan with Descriptions of Four New Records"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120229173915/http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=10055944). *Zoological Studies*. **38** (1): 33–68. Archived from [the original](http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=10055944) on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2008-10-24.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Barrier_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Barrier_9-1) Randall, John Ernest; Roger C. Steene; Gerald R. Allen (1997). *Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea*. University of Hawaii Press. p. 161. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8248-1895-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8248-1895-4).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Gunn_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Gunn_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Gunn_10-2) Gunn, John S. (1990). ["A revision of selected genera of the family Carangidae (Pisces) from Australian waters"](https://doi.org/10.3853%2Fj.0812-7387.12.1990.92). *Records of the Australian Museum Supplement*. **12**: 1–78. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3853/j.0812-7387.12.1990.92](https://doi.org/10.3853%2Fj.0812-7387.12.1990.92).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Lin, H.J.; Shao, K.T. (1999). "Seasonal and diel changes in a subtropical mangrove fish community". *Bulletin of Marine Science*. **65** (3): 775–794.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Bachok, Z.; M.I. Mansor; R.M. Noordin (2004). ["Diet composition and food habits of demersal and pelagic marine fishes from Terengganu waters, east coast of Peninsular Malaysia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060927181740/http://www.worldfishcenter.org/naga/naga27-3n4/pdf/article08.pdf) (PDF). *NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly*. **27** (3/4): 41–47. Archived from [the original](http://www.worldfishcenter.org/naga/naga27-3n4/pdf/article08.pdf) (PDF) on 2006-09-27. Retrieved 2008-10-05.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hawaii_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hawaii_13-1) hawaiisfishes.com (2005). ["Barred Jack"](http://www.hawaiisfishes.com/fishes/neatfish/carangoides_ferdau.htm). *Fish Identification*. Retrieved 2008-10-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Hsieh, H.Y.; Wen-Tseng Lo; Don-Chung Liu; Pei-Kai Hsu; Wei-Cheng Su (2007). "Winter spatial distribution of fish larvae assemblages relative to the hydrography of the waters surrounding Taiwan". *Environmental Biology of Fishes*. **78** (4): 333–346. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s10641-006-9101-9](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10641-006-9101-9). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [26056620](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:26056620).

## External links

- [Information page at Australian Museum Online](https://web.archive.org/web/20080819172721/http://australianmuseum.net.au//fishes/fishfacts/fish/cferdau.htm)

- [Description at Hawaiian fishes.com](http://www.hawaiisfishes.com/fishes/neatfish/carangoides_ferdau.htm)

- [Blue trevally at Fishbase](http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Speciessummary.php?id=1921)

- Photos of [Blue trevally](https://sealifecollection.org/taxon/218395) in the Sealife Collection

Taxon identifiers Carangoides ferdau Wikidata: Q686256 Wikispecies: Carangoides ferdau ADW: Carangoides_ferdau AFD: Carangoides_ferdau BOLD: 84565 CoL: R2J2 FishBase: 1921 GBIF: 5210560 iNaturalist: 132400 IRMNG: 10155199 ITIS: 168756 IUCN: 20429455 NCBI: 454062 OBIS: 218395 TaiCOL: t0030137 WoRMS: 218395

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Blue trevally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_trevally) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_trevally?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.