Greater Amberjack
AJ, Amberjack, Reef Donkey
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Scientific Name:
Seriola dumerili Saltwater
Offshore
Native
Fish
- Seasons and Regulations
- Licenses/Permits
Description
Elongated but heavy bodied member of the jack family with a large head and mouth. Bluish-brown to dark olive back, silvery white sides and underside, and a wide amber stripe running the length of each side. A distinctive dark band extends diagonally from the front of the dorsal fin through each eye to the mouth. Dusky brown to gray fins with a crescent-shaped tail. Juveniles have six vertical, dark bands across their body. Can weigh more than 150 pounds and grow to more than 5 feet long. More common in the 20 to 40-pound range.
Range and Habitat
Found throughout the world in subtropical and temperate waters. In the Americas, found off the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia south through Brazil. Typically inhabits nearshore waters of the Gulf of America, out to 300 feet deep (occasionally deeper), near natural reefs and artificial reef habitats such as wrecks and offshore oil and gas platforms.
Behavior
Spawn during the late spring in large groups around reefs and other structure. In the Gulf, are able to spawn when they are 2 to 3 years old. Juveniles are often found in small schools but become solitary as they grow. Opportunistic predators, feeding on a variety of smaller fish as well as crab and squid. Larger fish are generally females, who can live to more than 15 years.