--- title: Jacks, Amberjacks, Pompanos (Carangidae) scientific_name: Carangidae common_name: Jacks, Amberjacks, Pompanos rank: Family published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z updated: 2026-08-03T21:26:57.582Z tags: Jacks, Amberjacks, Pompanos, Carangidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos --- # Jacks, Amberjacks, Pompanos (*Carangidae*) ## Quick facts - **Rank:** Family - **Scientific name:** Carangidae - **Body shape:** Torpedo - Streamlined and muscular, built for open-water speed - jacks, tunas, barracudas. - **Species listed here:** 30 ## How to recognise this group - streamlined, often compressed body - deeply forked tail fin - two dorsal fins, the first with short spines - lateral line often armed with bony scutes near the tail - generally silvery, grey, or brassy coloration Jacks, Amberjacks, and Pompanos (family Carangidae) are common, swift, predatory fishes typically encountered over reef flats, slopes, and in open water. Their bodies vary from moderately compressed to deep, often with a silvery, grey, or brassy colouration. Most species have two dorsal fins, the first with short spines, and a deeply forked caudal fin. A prominent lateral line, frequently armed with a row of bony scutes near the tail, is a key distinguishing feature of the family. Sizes range from smaller species reaching 20 cm (8 in) to large trevallies that can exceed 170 cm (67 in). Juveniles often display vertical bars on their sides, while some adults bear dark spots. These active predators inhabit depths from the surface down to over 100 metres (330 ft), with most species observed in shallower reef environments. They feed on smaller fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods, often using bursts of speed to pursue prey. Younger individuals typically form large schools, which offers both protection and facilitates cooperative foraging. As they mature, larger adults often become solitary or hunt in small, agile groups. The family name Carangidae derives from Caranx, a genus named after a French Creole word for certain fish. ## Species (30) - [African Pompano (Alectis ciliaris)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/african-pompano) - [Arabian Scad (Trachurus indicus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/arabian-scad) - [Barcheek Trevally (Carangoides plagiotaenia)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/barcheek-trevally) - [Bigeye Scad (Selar crumenophthalmus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/bigeye-scad) - [Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/bigeye-trevally) - [Black Pomfret (Parastromateus niger)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/black-pomfret) - [Blackbanded Jack (Seriolina nigrofasciata)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/blackbanded-jack) - [Blacktip Jack (Caranx heberi)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/blacktip-jack) - [Blue Trevally (Carangoides ferdau)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/blue-trevally) - [Bluefin Trevally (Caranx melampygus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/bluefin-trevally) - [Coastal Trevally (Carangoides coeruleopinnatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/coastal-trevally) - [Doublespotted Queenfish (Scomberoides lysan)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/doublespotted-queenfish) - [Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/giant-trevally) - [Golden Trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/golden-trevally) - [Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/greater-amberjack) - [Herring Scad (Alepes vari)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/herring-scad) - [Indian Threadfish (Alectis indica)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/indian-threadfish) - [Longfin Trevally (Carangoides armatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/longfin-trevally) - [Needlescaled Queenfish (Scomberoides tol)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/needlescaled-queenfish) - [Orangespotted Trevally (Carangoides bajad)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/orangespotted-trevally) - [Pilot fish (Naucrates ductor)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/pilot-fish) - [Rainbow Runner (Elagatis bipinnulata)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/rainbow-runner) - [Shortfin Scad (Decapterus macrosoma)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/shortfin-scad) - [Shrimp Scad (Alepes djedaba)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/shrimp-scad) - [Smallspotted Dart (Trachinotus baillonii)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/smallspotted-dart) - [Snubnose Pompano (Trachinotus blochii)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/snubnose-pompano) - [Talang Queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/talang-queenfish) - [Torpedo Scad (Megalaspis cordyla)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/torpedo-scad) - [Yellowspotted Trevally (Carangoides fulvoguttatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/yellowspotted-trevally) - [Yellowtail Scad (Atule mate)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos/yellowtail-scad) --- *Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/jacks-amberjacks-pompanos)* *Updated: August 3, 2026*