Biology and Fisheries
The orangespotted trevally is a strong-swimming predator that takes a variety of prey including fish, crustaceans and nekton. Orangespotted trevally reach sexual maturity at 24.7 cm on average, with studies in the Persian Gulf indicating the species main spawning periods occur between June and September. Whether this differs throughout the species range is currently unknown. The same study also showed the species has a strong seasonal oscillation in the growth rate, which was fastest during November–April and slowest during the summer May–September.
The orangespotted trevally is occasionally taken throughout its range by hook and line, gill nets, and other artisanal gear, although in most areas is bycatch and does not form a large part of these fisheries. There is one fishery that is highly dependent on the species that exists in the southern Persian Gulf. Here the orangespotted trevally is one of the most common fish found just above the sea floor, and is taken by wire traps and sold fresh at local markets. The combined catch of C. bajad and Gnathanodon speciosus totals around 1100 tonnes per year. The development of the fishing fleet of the United Arab Emirates has caused a number of species to be overexploited, but the orangespotted trevally is still being taken at sustainable levels.
Read more about this topic: Orangespotted Trevally
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