Gnathanodon speciosus

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Facts
Latin name Gnathanodon speciosus - (Forsskål, 1775)
Local name Golden trevally
Family Carangidae - Gnathanodon
Origin East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, The Red Sea, The Mexican Golf, Indonesia, East Pacific, Central/West Pacific
Max length 120 cm (47.2")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 3000 l (792 gal)
Hardiness Hardy
Suitable for aquarium Suitable for most aquarium
Reef safe Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness Peaceful
Feed
Recommended Fish
Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...)
Mostly Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Beware of
Threat to fish and crustaceans

This species eats all kinds of fish, shrimps, crabs etc. which are of suitable size.

Searches through sand for food

This species searches through the sand for food, which can make the water cloudy and shakes up detritus.

In an aquarium their natural food source in the sand is quickly exhausted.

Demand a very large aquarium when fully grown

This species needs a very large aquarium when fully grown.

Exactly how big the aquarium should be is hard to say, but the size of this species is such, that it cannot normally be kept in a home aquarium.

Keep in mind
Requires plenty of space for swimming.

This species revels in swimming and requires an aquarium with ample space.

Descriptions and further reading
Family description (Carangidae)

Jacks/Pompanos are a large fish between 10-40 inch (25-100 cm) long, but some will grow up to 6.5 foot (2 meters).

They are predatory fish, which chase prey in open water and/or look for food on the bottom; crustaceans for example.

Some of the species are suitable for aquaria, but do require a lot of space.

FishBase
Aquarium trade Yes
Distribution Indo-Pacific. Eastern Pacific: southwestern coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico and Gulf of California to Ecuador (Ref. 9283).
English common names Trevally
Kelat
Golden trevally
Golden toothless trevally
Golden horsmackerel
Golden trevally
German common names Königsmakrele
Danish common names Gul hestemakrel
French common names Belle carangue
Carangue royale jaune
Carangue d'or
Carangue dorée
Carangue chasseur
References and further reading

About references

Scott W. Michael. 2004. Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes (Reef Fishes Series Book 3) TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Bob Fenner. Do You Know Jacks? You Will. The Family Carangidae - Wet Web Media - (English)
WWM Crew. FAQs about Jacks, Family Carangidae - Wet Web Media - (English)