512
12 Species Case Studies
aggregation assumed courtship colouration (rather than when swimming as pairs),
with fi sh courting as pairs and then spawning as groups from the larger school.
12.18.4 Commercial Importance
Carangids are of major importance for subsistence, sport and commercial fi sheries.
Given that they often occur in schools, there does not seem to be much directed
exploitation of schools of spawning fi shes. There is a need for more information
about this family, and even a limited amount of fi eld work at the right times and
locations could yield signifi cant new knowledge.
Fig. 12.52 The blue trevally, Carangoides ferdau , was seen courting and spawning at Chuuk
Atoll, Micronesia above one of the WWII wrecks in the lagoon. ( a ) The probable males have dark
areas, typical of courting male carangids. ( b ) The male with the dark dorsal stripe was attempting
to prevent three other males from approaching the female, whose caudal fi n can be seen on the
right. ( c ) Typical relationship between female ( silvery ) and male ( dark ) during courtship (Photos:
Patrick L. Colin)
12 Species Case Studies
aggregation assumed courtship colouration (rather than when swimming as pairs),
with fi sh courting as pairs and then spawning as groups from the larger school.
12.18.4 Commercial Importance
Carangids are of major importance for subsistence, sport and commercial fi sheries.
Given that they often occur in schools, there does not seem to be much directed
exploitation of schools of spawning fi shes. There is a need for more information
about this family, and even a limited amount of fi eld work at the right times and
locations could yield signifi cant new knowledge.
Fig. 12.52 The blue trevally, Carangoides ferdau , was seen courting and spawning at Chuuk
Atoll, Micronesia above one of the WWII wrecks in the lagoon. ( a ) The probable males have dark
areas, typical of courting male carangids. ( b ) The male with the dark dorsal stripe was attempting
to prevent three other males from approaching the female, whose caudal fi n can be seen on the
right. ( c ) Typical relationship between female ( silvery ) and male ( dark ) during courtship (Photos:
Patrick L. Colin)