Golden Trevally

Interesting Info

• The Golden Trevally is famous for its dazzling golden-yellow colour and bold black vertical bars when young, making it one of the most eye-catching reef fish.
• Juveniles are bright gold with clear stripes, often swimming boldly alongside larger fish like groupers or sharks for protection—almost like hitchhikers.
• As they grow, their colour fades to silvery-yellow, and the stripes disappear, though older adults may keep a faint golden sheen.
• Golden Trevally can grow up to 120 cm (4 ft) long and weigh over 15 kg (33 lb), though most are smaller, around 40–60 cm (1.3–2 ft).
• In Australia they are found along the northern half of the continent—Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland—extending down into New South Wales.
• Globally, they live throughout the Indo–Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa across to Japan, Hawaii, and the central Pacific islands.
• They prefer sandy shallows near reefs, lagoons, and estuaries, often moving in small to large schools.
• Golden Trevally use their thick, rubbery lips to suck prey from sand and rubble—like underwater vacuum cleaners!
• Their diet includes crustaceans, molluscs, small fish, and worms hidden in the seabed.
• Spawning takes place offshore, with large groups gathering to release eggs and sperm into open water.
• Juveniles are often seen in shallow bays and estuaries, sometimes darting between mangrove roots or following larger fishes for safety.
• Golden Trevally may live more than 10 years, with fast growth during their early years.
• Divers and snorkellers are often delighted to see their bright yellow juveniles swirling in schools close to reefs.