Barcheek Trevally

The Barcheek Trevally (Carangoides plagiotaenia), commonly referred to as the barcheek kingfish, shortridge trevally, or oblique-banded trevally, is a member of the Carangidae family, known for its moderate size among marine fishes. This species is predominantly found in the tropical waters of the Indo-west Pacific region, with a distribution range extending from 🇿🇦 South Africa to 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇦🇺 Australia, and several central Pacific islands. Its preferred habitats include inshore and offshore waters, particularly along lagoon slopes and deeper reefs of the continental shelf, where it primarily feeds on small fish and benthic crustaceans.

Identifiable by its maximum recorded length of 50 cm, the Barcheek Trevally features distinctive physical characteristics such as a slightly protruding lower jaw and dark opercular banding. Within the genus Carangoides, it is distinguished by these traits, alongside its compressed, oblong body shape typical of the group. The species exhibits a silvery hue, transitioning from grey on the dorsal side to paler shades below, and occasionally displays dusky oblique bands above the midline. Notably, large adults may exhibit small yellow spots on their flanks.

Geographically, the Barcheek Trevally is distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the 🇮🇳 Indian and Western 🌊 Pacific Oceans. Its range extends from 🇿🇦 South Africa to the 🌊 Red Sea, sparsely encompassing the 🌊 Persian Gulf, and reaching as far east as 🇮🇳 India, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands of the 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands, 🇫🇯 Fiji, and 🇼🇸 Samoa, with the northernmost observation recorded near southern 🇯🇵 Japan. This species is typically associated with lagoon and reef environments, residing in both shallow and deeper offshore coral and rocky reef areas.

As a predatory fish, the Barcheek Trevally is known for its agility, primarily preying on small fish and benthic crustaceans. Despite its broad distribution, there is limited knowledge regarding its reproductive and growth patterns. From an economic perspective, the Barcheek Trevally holds minimal significance in fisheries, primarily captured as bycatch or within small-scale artisanal operations. It is caught using various methods, including trawling, hook and line techniques, and inshore netting practices. Occasionally, it is sought by recreational anglers in reef environments.