Carangoides orthogrammus

Quite common, this trevally commonly weighs 2 -5 kg, and can sometimes exceed 6kg. It can be encountered alone or more generally in schools, on rocky reefs, coral reefs and sandy bottoms. We have observed some very large schools in the deep.

It is very similar to its cousin, the coachwhip trevally which is also round shaped with golden spots on the side. The thick-lipped trevally has dorsal and anal fins short and blue. The coachwhip trevally has a white border around the fins and a white filament in the extension of the dorsal. The thick-lipped trevally may also have a white  but less long and less flexible dorsal filament.

The orange spotted trevally is also quite similar but adorned with brighter colors, and is generally smaller in size. The pompano has a similar shape but different colours and lacks the golden spots.

The thick-lipped trevally is usually caught quite straightforwardly, and it’s a rather easy catch, but comparatively to its size it is remarkably strong fighter. When shot, it emits throat noises attracting sharks, like most trevallies.

Unfortunately, its meat is not very tasty and I will not recommend it.