Jack, Bar (Caranx ruber)

Latin name

Caranx ruber

Other names

Runner, skipjack; Spanish: cojinua carbonera, cojinua negra, negrito.

Identification

The Bar jack is silvery, with a dark bluish stripe on the back that runs from the beginning of the soft dorsal fin to the bottom of the caudal fin. Occasionally, there is a pale blue stripe under the black stripe that extends forward to the snout. It is similar to the blue runner, but it has fewer and less prominent large scales along the caudal fin. The Bar jack has 26-30 soft rays in the dorsal fin and 31-35 gill rays at the lower end of the first arch. It can darken to almost black when feeding near the bottom.

Distribution

Occurs from New Jersey and Bermuda to the northern Gulf of Mexico and southern Brazil, and throughout the Caribbean.

Habitat

They are common in clear, shallow, open waters up to 60 feet deep, often over coral reefs. They usually move in spawning flocks, but sometimes mingle with goatfish and stingrays, and sometimes are found alone.

Size

Usually 8 to 14 inches long, reaching a maximum of 2 feet.

Life history and Behavior

No information

Food and feeding habits

Opportunistic feeders, they feed mainly on pelagic and benthic fish, some shrimp and other invertebrates.

Reproduction

No information