Size / Weight / Age
Max length : 200 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 7251); common length : 140 cm TL
male/unsexed; (Ref. 3692); max. published weight: 50.0 kg (Ref. 6949)
Length at first maturity
Lm 66.0, range 58 - ? cm
Environment
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 100 m (Ref. 6949), usually 3
- 30 m (Ref. 40849)
Climate / Range
Subtropical; 42°N - 35°S, 180°W - 180°E (Ref. 55300)
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and east coast of Africa to Hawaii and the Marquesan and
Tuamoto islands. Western Atlantic: Massachusetts (USA), Bermuda, and throughout
the Caribbean Sea to Brazil (Ref. 9626). Eastern Atlantic: Sierra Leone, Côte
d'Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria, Senegal (Ref. 6949), Mauritania (Ref. 5377), St. Paul's
Rocks (Ref. 13121), and São Tomé Island (Ref. 34088).
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions | Stocks
Short description
Dorsal spines (total): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft
rays: 10. Distinguished by the double emarginate tail fin with pale tips on each
lobe, and (usually) the presence of a few scattered black blotches on the lower
sides (Ref. 1602). Top of head between eyes flat or concave; mouth large (Ref.
26938).
Biology Glossary (e.g. epibenthic)
Found predominantly at or near the surface (Ref. 6949, 48637). Juvenile occurs
among mangroves, estuaries and shallow sheltered inner reef areas; adult occurs
in a wide range of habitats from murky inner harbors to open seas. Diurnal and
solitary, but can also be found in small aggregations. Feeds on fishes,
cephalopods and sometimes on shrimps (Ref. 9626, 48637). Sold fresh. Utilized
also dried or salted (Ref. 9987). Although this species is ciguatoxic elsewhere
throughout its range, it has not been reported to be poisonous in the eastern
Atlantic (Ref. 6949, 48637). Rarely attacks humans, usually with one quick,
fierce strike, which, although serious, is rarely fatal. The world's record on
hook and line is a 5.5-ft. fish taken in the Bahamas that weighed 103 lbs. (Ref.
13442).