English Name: Golden trevally
Family: CARANGIDAE
Local Name: Libaas handhi
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 1.1 m
Specimen: MRS/P0333/88
Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 7 spines, second dorsal fin with I spine and 18-20 rays. Anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by I spine and 15-1 7 rays. Breast completely scaled. Lips noticeably papillose and upperjaw strongly protractile.
Colour: Young and small adults brightyellow to silvery with 7-il black bands, usually alternating broad and narrow. All tins yellow, with caudal tips black. Adults with a few black blotches on sides.
Habitat and Biology: Found inshore, including rocky reefs, deep lagoons and seaward reefs. A bottom feeder that preys on crustaceans, molluscs and small fish.
Distribution: Tropical Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: Gnathodon speciosus is caught occasionally by fishermen using hand lines near reefs. Juveniles swim with sharks and other big fish and in this context are found long distances offshore.