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Other
names:
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Scientific
name:
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greater
/ Seriola umerili
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Genus:
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CARANGIDEA
FAMILY |
May occur worldwide. Positively
known to occur in the Indo-Pacific around Japan, China, the Philippines
and in the central Pacific off Hawaii.
It also occurs throughout the
western Atlantic Ocean, in portions of the eastern Atlantic Ocean
(Madeira and southern and western Africa), and in the Mediterranean Sea
in tropical and warm temperate waters.
The species bears a resemblance to the bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix),
from which it can be distinguished by the mom incavated tail. Also, the
amberjack has small teeth in bands, whereas the bluefish has large, triangular
teeth.
There is a low keel on the caudal peduncle. A dark olive-colored diagonal
stripe reaches from the mouth across the eye to about the first dorsal
fin, and a broad amber-colored stripe runs horizontally along the flanks.
The amber stripe often causes anglers to confuse this species with the
yellowtails. The greater amberjack is the largest of the jacks and the
most sought after by sport fishermen because of its qualities as a game
fish. It strikes fast, fights hard, and often dives for the bottom. Frequently
when one amberjack is brought to the boat, others will follow it to the
surface.
Fishing methods include trolling near the surface with lures, spoons,
plugs, jigs or strip baits. Also live bait fishing with mullet, grunts,
pitch, or other small fishes. Many incidental catches of amberjack are
made while fishing the bottom for snappers and groupers. 'The amberjack
is high on the list of 300 or more species of tropical marine fishes suspected
of causing ciguatera poisoning. The great barracuda has the dubious distinction
of leading that list.
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