# Imposter trevally

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Species of fish

Imposter trevally Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Carangiformes Suborder: Carangoidei Family: Carangidae Genus: Carangoides Species: C. talamparoides Binomial name Carangoides talamparoides Bleeker, 1852 Approximate range of the imposter trevally Synonyms Caranx talamparoides (Bleeker, 1852) Carangoides gibber Fowler, 1904

The **imposter trevally** (*Carangoides talamparoides*), also known as the **imposter jack** or **white-tongued trevally**, is a [species](/source/Species) of small [coastal marine fish](/source/Coastal_fish) in the jack [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Carangidae](/source/Carangidae). The imposter trevally is distributed through the [tropical](/source/Tropical) waters of [Indian](/source/Indian_Ocean) and west [Pacific](/source/Pacific_Ocean) oceans, from the [Gulf of Oman](/source/Gulf_of_Oman) in the west to [Japan](/source/Japan) and [Australia](/source/Australia) in the east. The species is quite similar to the [Malabar trevally](/source/Malabar_trevally), but can be distinguished by its [gill raker](/source/Gill_raker) count, and is identifiable from other species by having a white to pale grey tongue. It is a relatively small species, growing to a maximum recorded length of 30 cm. The imposter trevally inhabits [coastal](/source/Coastal) waters of the [continental shelf](/source/Continental_shelf) in depths of up to 140 m, often associating with closely related carangid species. It preys on a range of small fish, [crustaceans](/source/Crustacean) and [cephalopods](/source/Cephalopod), but little is known of its reproductive biology. The imposter trevally is of minor importance to [fisheries](/source/Fisheries) throughout its range, taken by hook and line, bottom [trawls](/source/Trawl) and several types of [artisanal](/source/Artisan) gear.

## Taxonomy and naming

The imposter trevally is classified within the [genus](/source/Genus) *[Carangoides](/source/Carangoides)*, one of a number of groups of fish referred to as jacks and trevallies. *Carangoides* falls into the jack and horse mackerel family [Carangidae](/source/Carangidae), the Carangidae are part of the [order](/source/Order_(biology)) [Carangiformes](/source/Carangiformes).[2]

The species was first [scientifically described](/source/Scientific_classification) by the [Dutch](/source/Netherlands) [ichthyologist](/source/Ichthyologist) [Pieter Bleeker](/source/Pieter_Bleeker) in 1852 based on the [holotype](/source/Holotype) specimen taken from western [Sumatra](/source/Sumatra) in [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia).[3] Bleeker named this new species *Carangoides talamparoides*, with the [specific epithet](/source/Specific_name_(zoology)) having a slightly ambiguous meaning. *Talam* is a length measurement spanning the length of the thumb to little finger, *par* is [Greek](/source/Greek_language) for 'equal' and *oides* translates to 'like' - possibly indicating the small size of the holotype.[4] Bleeker's classification is still considered to be correct to this day, with some authors incorrectly reassigning the species to *[Caranx](/source/Caranx)*, and only one [junior synonym](/source/Junior_synonym) has been applied; *Carangoides gibber* by [Henry Weed Fowler](/source/Henry_Weed_Fowler).[5]

## Description

An anglers catch of imposter trevally

The imposter trevally is a relatively small species, growing to a maximum known length of 30 cm, still making it small compared to many of its relatives.[5] The overall shape of the fish is similar to most of the other species in *Carangoides*, having a strongly compressed, almost [ovate](/source/Glossary_of_ichthyology#O) body, with the [dorsal](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location#Dorsal_and_ventral) profile somewhat more [convex](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/convex) than the [ventral](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location#Dorsal_and_ventral).[6] This asymmetry is due to the dorsal profile of the head being strongly elevated to the [nape](/source/Nape). The [dorsal fin](/source/Dorsal_fin) is in two distinct sections; the first consisting of 8 [spines](/source/Fish_anatomy#Spines_and_rays) and the second of 1 spine and 20 to 23 [soft rays](/source/Fish_anatomy#Spines_and_rays). The long section of the [anal fin](/source/Anal_fin) is preceded by two detached spines, while the main fin has 1 spine and 17 to 19 soft rays. The lobes of both the soft dorsal and anal fins are low, being shorter than the head length.[7] The [lateral line](/source/Lateral_line) has a moderate anterior arch, with the curved section of the line much longer than the straight section. There are 32 to 52 [scales](/source/Scale_(zoology)) on the lateral line, with 20 to 32 of these being weak [scutes](/source/Scute) at the base of the [caudal fin](/source/Caudal_fin). The breast is devoid of scales, with this area extending to behind the [pelvic fins](/source/Pelvic_fin), and often as far as the anal fin, and reaching as far up as the [pectoral fin](/source/Pectoral_fin) base.[7] The jaws both have bands of small [villiform](/source/Ichthyology_terms#V) teeth, with some outer teeth becoming conical at the front of the mouth. There are 27 to 31 [gill rakers](/source/Gill_raker) and 24 [vertebrae](/source/Vertebrae) in total.[6]

The imposter trevally is a silver to bluish grey dorsally, becoming silvery white below. A major distinguishing feature is the white to pale grey tongue, with this also seen in the carangid genus *[Uraspis](/source/Uraspis)* although their different body shapes prevent confusion with *C. talamparoides*.[4] The [operculum](/source/Operculum_(fish)) has a small black spot on its upper margin. The soft dorsal and anal fins are dusky in colour, while the caudal fin is dusky yellow with black distal margins.[8]

## Distribution and habitat

The imposter trevally inhabits the [tropical](/source/Tropical) waters of the [Indian](/source/Indian_Ocean) and west [Pacific Oceans](/source/Pacific_Ocean).[7] Its range extends from the [Gulf of Oman](/source/Gulf_of_Oman) through to [India](/source/India) and [Sri Lanka](/source/Sri_Lanka) in the west, with a break in records from Sri Lanka to the [Gulf of Thailand](/source/Gulf_of_Thailand). In the west Pacific the imposter trevally inhabits [South East Asian](/source/South_East_Asia) waters from the Gulf of Thailand to [Sumatra](/source/Sumatra) and [Borneo](/source/Borneo). It is distributed east towards the [Philippines](/source/Philippines) and [Guam](/source/Guam), and south to [Australia](/source/Australia).[5]

The imposter trevally inhabits [coastal](/source/Coastal) waters throughout its range, often found over the sandy [continental shelf](/source/Continental_shelf) in the waters off North West Australia. Here it is known to form cohabit with *[Carangoides coeruleopinnatus](/source/Carangoides_coeruleopinnatus)* and *[Carangoides malabaricus](/source/Carangoides_malabaricus)* in waters 30 to 140 m deep.[4]

## Biology and fishery

Only one study has thoroughly recorded the [diet](/source/Diet_(nutrition)) of the imposter trevally, which was carried out in Albatross Bay, Australia. It was found [teleost](/source/Teleost) fish made up 73% of its diet, [cephalopods](/source/Cephalopod) 16% and a variety of [crustaceans](/source/Crustacean) including [brachyurans](/source/Brachyura) and [stomatopods](/source/Stomatopod) the remainder.[9] It is thought that the coexisting *C. coeruleopinnatus* and *C. malabaricus* use diet partitioning to allow this cohabitation.[4] Nothing is known of the species [reproduction](/source/Reproduction) and growth patterns.

The imposter trevally is of little importance to [fisheries](/source/Fisheries) throughout its range, occasionally caught using hook and line, bottom [trawls](/source/Fishing_trawler) and various types of artisanal nets.[6] It is often found in the bycatch of northern Australian [prawn](/source/Prawn) trawlers, and usually discarded.[10]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-iucn_1-0)** Smith-Vaniz, W.F. & Williams, I. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. ["*Carangoides talamparoides*"](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/20430011/115376574). *[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species](/source/IUCN_Red_List)*. **2016** e.T20430011A115376574. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20430011A46664089.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20430011A46664089.en).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Nelson5_2-0)** 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_3-0)** 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. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Gunn_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Gunn_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Gunn_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Gunn_4-3) 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. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-fishbase_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-fishbase_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-fishbase_5-2) [Froese, Rainer](/source/Rainer_Froese); [Pauly, Daniel](/source/Daniel_Pauly) (eds.). ["*Carangoides talamparoides*"](https://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?genusname=Carangoides&speciesname=talamparoides). *[FishBase](/source/FishBase)*. February 2009 version.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FAO_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FAO_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FAO_6-2) 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: FAO. p. 2694. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [92-5-104587-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/92-5-104587-9).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Oman_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Oman_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Oman_7-2) Randall, John E. (1995). *Coastal Fishes of Oman*. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 183. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8248-1808-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8248-1808-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Barrier_8-0)** 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. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Salini, John P.; S.J.M. Blaber; D.T. Brewer (1994). "Diets of Trawled Predatory Fish of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, with Particular Reference to Predation on Prawns". *Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research*. **45** (3): 397–411. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1071/MF9940397](https://doi.org/10.1071%2FMF9940397).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Stobutzki, Nona C.; Margaret J. Miller; Peter Jones; John P. Salini (2001). "Bycatch diversity and variation in a tropical Australian penaeid fishery; the implications for monitoring". *Fisheries Research*. **53** (3): 283–301. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/S0165-7836(00)00273-3](https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS0165-7836%2800%2900273-3).

## External links

- [Imposter trevally at Fishbase](http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=1912)

- [Fishes of Bitung factsheet](https://web.archive.org/web/20110716183407/http://research.kahaku.go.jp/zoology/Fishes_of_Bitung/data/p076_01b.html)

Taxon identifiers Carangoides talamparoides Wikidata: Q3702859 Wikispecies: Carangoides talamparoides AFD: Carangoides_talamparoides CoL: R2JX FishBase: 1912 GBIF: 5210525 iNaturalist: 529699 IRMNG: 10838265 ITIS: 641981 IUCN: 20430011 NCBI: 1325509 OBIS: 218389 Open Tree of Life: 3638744 Plazi: 0B618A7C-31CD-423C-056A-44E6B9DF5BF1 TaiCOL: t0050134 WoRMS: 218389 ZooBank: 083901E5-B1FA-4407-A48A-80D56CC0E941

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Imposter trevally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imposter_trevally) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imposter_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.