Bluefin Trevally

Family: Jacks & Trevally (Carangidae)
Size: Up to 117 cm (46 in) | Common: 60 cm (24 in)
Depth: 1 – 190m (3 – 620ft)

Distribution: Widespread Indo-Pacific and Eastern Tropical Pacific (Mexico to Panama, including Malpelo and the Chocó coast).

Identification: A fast-moving, brightly colored predator built for speed.

• Electric Blue Fins: The dorsal, anal, and tail fins radiate a stunning neon blue color that stands out even in deeper, darker water.
• Speckled Body: The upper half of the silvery-blue body is heavily speckled with small dark and blue spots, often featuring a distinct golden or yellowish wash along the lateral line.
• Steep Profile: They possess a steeply sloping snout and a robust, deep body typical of the Carangidae family.

Behavior: Highly aggressive daytime hunters of the rocky reef.

• Reef Patrollers: Often seen solitary or in small hunting packs, darting rapidly through the water column to ambush smaller schooling reef fish.
• Hunting Partners: They are famously known to team up with other predators, such as whitetip reef sharks or octopuses, following them closely to snatch up any small fish that flush out of hiding holes.