greater amberjack, allied kingfish

Amberjack are distributed throughout the Pacific Ocean and into the western Atlantic Ocean off Florida, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. They have a discontinuous distribution in Australia, from Noosa Heads to Jervis Bay on the east coast and Albany to Cape Naturaliste in the south-west of Western Australia.

The amberjack can be distinguished from other related species by the gill raker count, over 8 inches long they have only 11-16 developed gill rakers on the lower limb of the first branchial arch (the count may be higher in smaller specimens). The first dorsal fin consists of 6 or 7 small, fragile spines connected by a membrane; juveniles have an additional detached spine before the first dorsal fin. The second dorsal fin has 1 spine and 29-35 soft rays. The anal fin has 3 spines, the first two of which are detached, and 19-22 soft rays. In adults the two detached spines are sometimes covered with skin. There is a low keel on the caudal peduncle.A dark olive-coloured diagonal stripe reaches from the mouth across the eye to about the first dorsal fin, and a broad amber-coloured stripe runs horizontally along the flanks.

When hooked it strikes fast, fights hard, and often dives for the bottom. Fishing methods include trolling near the surface with lures, spoons, plugs, jigs or strip baits. Also live bait fishing with mullet, grunts, pinfish, or other small fishes.Small examples are quite good eating; all should be bled as soon as possible. Beware that the amberjack has been suspected of causing ciguatera poisoning.