Built for a burst of speed, the largest trevally in Polynesian waters hunts inside and beyond the lagoon.
- Local names
- Uru'ati
- Habitat
- Lagoon and reef
About this species
A broad, steeply curved forehead rises above a silver body with metallic reflections. Thick, pointed scales called scutes line the rear of the body near the tail. This is the largest trevally described in French Polynesia.
It travels alone or in small groups through lagoon and outer-reef waters, with records from roughly 1 to 100 m. At night it may investigate reef crevices for crustaceans and fish.
Although its flesh is valued, the regional guide notes that ciguatera risk limits its consumption in Polynesia.
Guide des poissons de Tahiti et ses îles, Indo-Pacific Fish conference Tahiti 2017, P. Bachet, T. Zysman, Y. Lefèvre, Au vent des îles
