Barcheek Trevally

Interesting Info

• The Barcheek Trevally (Carangoides plagiotaenia) is a sleek, silvery jack named for the distinct dark bar running down its cheek — like a painted racing stripe on its face.
• In Australia it’s found mainly in the far north of Queensland. Records further south are scarce and need confirmation.
• Globally, it occurs throughout the tropical Indo–West Pacific — from East Africa and the Red Sea to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and the western Pacific islands.
• The body is silvery with a bluish-green back, sometimes a faint golden sheen, while the notable cheek bar and yellowish fins help distinguish it from other jacks.
• It forms small schools in coastal waters, especially over sandy bays, lagoons, outer reef slopes and near drop-offs.
• Feeds mainly on small fishes, shrimps and crabs — darting out from mid-water or the seabed to snap up prey.
• Adults can live for around 7-8 years, with juveniles growing quickly during their first two years.
• Spawning occurs offshore in tropical waters, where males and females gather in schools to release eggs into open water; the larvae drift then settle into shallow coastal habitats.
• Juveniles often settle in sheltered lagoons or estuaries, which serve as safe nursery zones before venturing to reef slopes.
• Predators include larger trevallies, mackerel and reef sharks, making this species both hunter and prey in the reef ecosystem.
• Divers and snorkellers may spot its shimmering schools gliding near sandy patches or reef edges, with the cheek stripe visible on close approach.