{{short description|Species of fish}} {{other uses}} {{Speciesbox | image = Yellow jack, florida.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name = iucn>{{cite iucn | author1 = Smith-Vaniz, W.F. | author2 = Williams, J.T. | author3 = Pina Amargos, F. | author4 = Curtis, M. | author5 = Brown, J. | name-list-style=amp | year = 2015 | title = ''Caranx bartholomaei'' | volume = 2015 | article-number = e.T16431725A16509662 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T16431725A16509662.en }}</ref> | taxon = Caranx bartholomaei | authority = [[Georges Cuvier|G. Cuvier]], 1833 | synonyms = *''Carangoides bartholomaei'', <small>(Cuvier, 1833)</small> *''Citula bartholomaei'' <small>(Cuvier, 1833)</small> | range_map = Carangoides bartholomaei distribution.png | range_map_caption = Approximate range of the yellow jack }}
The '''yellow jack''' ('''''Caranx bartholomaei'''''), also known as '''coolihoo''', is a species of [[marine (ocean)|marine]] [[fish]] in the jack family, [[Carangidae]]. It is one of only two representatives of its genus present in the Atlantic Ocean, inhabiting waters off the east coast of the Americas from [[Massachusetts]] in the north to Brazil in the south, as well as a number of offshore [[island]]s. The yellow jack can be distinguished from closely related species by the length of the [[jaw]], as well as counts of the rays in the fins. It is a fairly large fish, growing to a recorded maximum length of {{convert|1|m|inch}}, and a weight of at least {{convert|14|kg|lb|lk=in}}. Yellow jack inhabit [[reef]]s, moving either individually or in schools and are [[predator]]y fish which primarily take other small fish. Studies in the Caribbean suggest the species reaches [[sexual maturity]] between {{convert|23|and|32|cm|inch}}, and [[spawn (biology)|spawn]]s in offshore waters from February to October. Yellow jack are of minor [[fishery|economic importance]], taken by both hook and net methods, and are considered to be fair table fish. They are often caught by boat [[angling|angler]]s, although are overlooked for their larger relatives.
==Taxonomy and naming== The yellow jack is classified within the genus ''[[Caranx]]'', a group of fish commonly called jacks and trevallies. ''Caranx'' falls into the jack and horse mackerel family [[Carangidae]], the Carangidae are part of the [[Order (biology)|order]] [[Carangiformes]].<ref name = Nelson5>{{BioRef |fotw5 |pages=380–387}}</ref>
The species was first [[scientific classification|scientifically described]] by the famed French [[taxonomist]] [[Georges Cuvier]] in 1833, based on the [[holotype]] specimen collected from [[Saint Barthelemy|St. Bartholomew Island]] in the [[West Indies]].<ref name = CofF/> Cuvier named this new species ''Caranx bartholomaei'' after the island from which the holotype was taken. The genus in which the taxon should be placed has proved contentious, and continues to be today with a number of recent publications placing the species in ''[[Carangoides]]'', while others still classify it within ''Caranx''.<ref>{{cite book | last = Nelson | first = J. |author2=E. J. Crossman |author3=H. Espinosa-Pérez |author4=L. T. Findley |author5=C. R. Gilbert |author6=R. N. Lea |author7=J. D. Williams | title = Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico|edition= Sixth | publisher = American Fisheries Society | year = 2004 | location = Bethesda, Maryland | pages = 1–386}}</ref><ref name = "FAO">{{cite book | editor-last = Carpenter | editor-first = K.E. | title = The living marine resources of the Western Central Atlantic. Volume 3: Bony fishes part 2 (Opistognathidae to Molidae), sea turtles and marine mammals |series= FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes and American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Special Publication No. 5 | publisher = FAO | year = 2002 | location = Rome | url = ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/y4162e/y4162e00.pdf | isbn = 92-5-104827-4 | page = 1438 }}</ref> This article follows the [[Fishbase]] and [[Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes|ECoF]] classification of ''Caranx bartholomaei''. The species predominant common name, "yellow jack", comes from the colour the species turns as it gets older, with other common names including "coolihoo" and incorrectly, "green jack".<ref name = "Fishbase">{{FishBase |Caranx|bartholomaei |id=1913 |year=2006|month=June}}</ref>
Some authorities place the yellow jack in the genus ''[[Caranx]]''.<ref name = CofF>{{Cof record|spid=15371|title=''Caranx bartholomaei''|access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref>
==Description== [[Image:Andre yellow jack.jpg|thumb|220 px|A Yellow Jack caught by a recreational fisherman]] The yellow jack shows the typical body profile of the genus ''Carangoides'', having a moderately deep, [[Compression (zoology)|compressed]] elongate shape, with the [[anatomical terms of location#Dorsal and ventral|dorsal]] profile slightly more [[wikt:convex|convex]] than the [[anatomical terms of location#Dorsal and ventral|ventral]] profile.<ref name = "FAO"/> It is a large fish, growing to a known maximum length of {{convert|1|m|inch}}, although more common seen below {{convert|45|cm|inch}}, and a maximum weight of {{convert|14|kg|lb}}. The dorsal profile of the head is slightly curved from the snout to the [[nape]], with the eye having a moderately well developed [[adipose eyelid]]. One of the major diagnostic features is that the upper [[jaw]] does not reach to the interior margin of the eye. Both jaws contain narrow bands of [[Ichthyology terms#V|villiform]] [[teeth]], with these bands becoming wider [[Anatomical terms of location#Anterior and posterior|anteriorly]]. The [[dorsal fin]] is in two parts, the first containing seven [[Fish anatomy#Spines and rays|spines]] and the second of one spine followed by 25 to 28 [[Fish anatomy#Spines and rays|soft rays]]. The [[anal fin]] is similar to the second dorsal fin, consisting of two anteriorly detached spines followed by one spine and 21 to 24 soft rays. The lobes of the dorsal and anal fins are slightly pronounced, and the [[pectoral fin]] is falcate, being longer than the head. The [[lateral line]] has a slight, extended anterior curve, with this curved section being longer than the posterior straight section. The straight section of the lateral line has 22 to 28 [[scute]]s, with rest of the body being covered in smooth [[cycloid scale]]s, and the chest being completely scaled. The caudal peduncle has bilateral paired keels present. There are 24 [[vertebrae]] and a total of 24 to 30 [[gill raker]]s.<ref name = "FAO"/>
The yellow jack is a pale yellow-green-blue dorsally, becoming silver on the underside. Juveniles show around five [[Vertical direction|vertical]] bands, which fade to blotches and finally disappear altogether as the fish matures. The fins are all [[hyaline]] in appearance, often with a golden-brown tinge to them.<ref name = "FAO"/> Older fish tend to be more yellow, with large specimens having bright yellow fins.
==Distribution and habitat== The yellow jack is distributed throughout the [[tropical]] to subtropical western Atlantic Ocean, ranging on the coast of America from [[Massachusetts]] to Maceio, Brazil. The species range includes hundreds of offshore [[island]]s in the eastern Atlantic, including [[Bermuda]], the [[Bahamas]], the [[West Indies]] and throughout the Caribbean Sea.<ref name = "FAO"/> Along with the [[bar jack]], ''C. ruber'', it is only one of two species formerly in ''Carangoides'' present in the Atlantic, with all others having Indo-Pacific distributions. it also can be found in the Libyan coast (in the Mediterranean sea).{{cn|date=March 2026}} The yellow jack is occasionally found in inshore coastal waters, but prefers offshore [[reef]]s and islands, or open marine waters over the [[continental shelf]].<ref name = "Fishbase"/> Whilst not often seen in shallow waters near the American continent, yellow jack are commonly seen in the sandy shallows of a number of Caribbean islands foraging with other species.<ref name = "zoobenth">{{cite journal | last = Sazima | first =Cristina |author2=Alice Grossman | title = A non-digging zoobenthivorous fish attracts two opportunistic predatory fish associates | journal = Neotropical Ichthyology | volume = 3 | issue = 3 | pages = 445–448 | year = 2005 | url = http://www.scielo.br/pdf/ni/v3n3/v3n3a14.pdf | issn = 1679-6225 | access-date =2008-08-04 | doi = 10.1590/S1679-62252005000300014 | doi-access = free }}</ref>
==Biology== [[Image:Yellow jack 2 views.JPG|thumb|220 px|A pair of yellow jack caught by recreational fishermen]]Yellow jack are [[predator]]y fish, moving both individually or in small groups, with their main [[prey]] being small fish,<ref name = "Fishbase"/> although observational records also show smaller [[benthic]] prey is taken.<ref name = "zoobenth"/> Yellow jack have been observed in a 'following role', moving around with larger species to take advantage of the commotion caused by the bigger fish, allowing the jack to opportunistically [[forage]] or take scraps left by the larger fish. As well as other [[teleost]]s, yellow jack have also been recorded following [[eel]]s, [[stingray]]s and [[nurse shark]]s.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Sazima | first = Cristina | first2=Joao Paulo |last2=Krajewski |first3=Roberta M. |last3=Bonaldo |first4=Ivan |last4=Sazima | title = Nuclear-follower foraging associations of reef fishes and other animals at an oceanic archipelago | journal = Environmental Biology of Fishes | volume = 80 | issue = 4 | pages = 351–361 | year = 2006 | doi = 10.1007/s10641-006-9123-3}}</ref> In one case, they were observed following a [[flying gurnard]], itself smaller than the jack, that disturbed the [[substrate (marine biology)|substrate]], causing various organisms to be displaced and become available for predation.<ref name = "zoobenth"/> As well as being 'followers', larger specimens have also been observed as the 'followed' species. The species has also been observed living in close relationships with [[spinner dolphin]]s, feeding off the dolphin's waste products. This behavior has also been observed in a number of other jacks living in the region.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Sazima | first = Ivan |author2=Cristina Sazima |author3=José Martins da Silva-Jr | title = Fishes associated with spinner dolphins at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, tropical Western Atlantic: an update and overview | journal = Neotropical Ichthyology | volume = 4 | issue = 4 | pages = 451–455 | year = 2006 | url = http://www.scielo.br/pdf/ni/v4n4/a09v4n4.pdf | issn = 1679-6225 | access-date =2008-08-04 | doi = 10.1590/S1679-62252006000400009 | doi-access = free }}</ref>
Yellow jacks reach maturity at different times in different locations, with studies around Cuba showing males reach [[sexual maturity]] at {{convert|30|cm|inch}} and females at {{convert|32|cm|inch}}, while in Jamaica, males reach sexual maturity at {{convert|23|cm|inch}}. [[Spawn (biology)|Spawning]] takes place in offshore waters between February and October.<ref name = "Fishbase"/> Observational studies in [[Belize]] have shown that although courtship occurs in pairs, the species is a group spawner, congregating in large balls of around 300 fish, with spawning occurring mostly before sunset.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Graham | first = Rachel T. |author2=Daniel W. Castellanos | title = Courtship and spawning behaviors of carangid species in Belize | journal = Fishery Bulletin | volume = 103 | issue = 2 | pages = 426–432 | year = 2005 | url = http://fishbull.noaa.gov/1032/graham.pdf | access-date =2008-08-04}}</ref> Juveniles live near the surface of the ocean, often hiding amongst large mats of [[jellyfish]] or [[Sargassum]] weed, with a coloration that [[camouflage]]s the fish in the weed.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Nichols | first = J. T. | title = ''Caranx bartholomaei'' and ''ruber'' Compared | journal = Copeia | volume = 81 | pages = 28–29 | year = 1920 | jstor = 1435929 | issue = 81 | doi = 10.2307/1435929 }}</ref> These young fish are often moved long distances by the [[Gulf Stream]], and this is probably the process responsible for fish found as far north as Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Nichols | first = J.T. | title = Young Carangin Fishes Drifted by the Gulf Stream | journal = Copeia | volume = 1934 | issue = 1 | page = 46 | year = 1934| doi = 10.2307/1436444 | jstor = 1436444 }}</ref>
==Relationship to humans== Yellow jack are a minor [[fishery|commercial species]] throughout their range, taken by [[Seine fishing|seines]], [[trawl]]s and hook and line techniques. They are also caught by [[angling|recreational fishermen]], with fish baits and lures and often while [[Troll (angling)|trolling]], although they are rarely targeted specifically. The species is rated as a fair to good [[fish (food)|table fish]], and is marketed both fresh and salted.<ref name = "FAO"/> Yellow jack are known to be carriers of [[ciguatera]] around the [[West Indies]], and are classified as a high risk species, with their predatory nature allowing the toxin to accumulate in their flesh.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Bourdeau | first = P. | title = Ciguatoxic fish in the French West Indies | journal = Bulletin de la Société de Pathologie Exotique | volume = 85 | issue = 5 | pages = 415–418 | year = 1992 | issn = 0037-9085| pmid = 1364103 }}</ref> The yellow jack was actually the first species outside of the Pacific Ocean to be confirmed as carrying ciguatera toxins, although these early studies showed that the toxin was biochemically slightly different from the Pacific strain.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Vernoux | first = Jean-Paul | first2= Martine |last2=Gaign |first3=Najib |last3=Riyeche |first4=Fouzia |last4=Tagmouti |first5=Louis Philippe |last5=Magras |first6=Jean |last6=Nolen | title = Mise en évidence d'une toxine liposoluble de type ciguatérique chez ''Caranx bartholomaei'' pêché aux Antilles françaises |trans-title=Demonstration of a fat-soluble toxin Ciguatera kind of ''Caranx bartholomaei'' caught in the French West Indies |language=fr| journal = Biochimie | volume = 64 | issue = 10 | pages = 933–939 | year = 1982 | doi = 10.1016/S0300-9084(82)80356-8| pmid = 6817824 }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * [http://www.thejump.net/id/yellow-jack.htm Pictures and information about yellow jack] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328180115/http://www.thejump.net/id/yellow-jack.htm |date=2019-03-28 }} * [http://graysreef.noaa.gov/fishguide/Group5/Group5.html Information about jacks and mackerels] * {{sealifephotos|159630}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1995094}}
[[Category:Carangoides|yellow jack]] [[Category:Fish of the Eastern United States]] [[Category:Fish of the Western Atlantic]] [[Category:Marine fish of Nicaragua]] [[Category:Fish described in 1833|yellow jack]] [[Category:Taxa named by Georges Cuvier|yellow jack]] [[Category:Fish of Aruba]] [[Category:Least concern biota of the United States]] [[Category:Taxa named by Georges Cuvier]]