Trachinotus botla (Shaw, 1803)
Largespotted dart
Trachinotus botla
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos), subfamily: Trachinotinae
Max. size:  75 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,300.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: Somalia (Ref. 30573) and Kenya to Algoa Bay, South Africa; also Madagascar, Sri Lanka and western Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-24; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 19-22. Bluish black above, silvery below; 1-5 large spots on or near LL (absent in specimens less than 15 cm, number of spots increasing with age); caudal, 2nd dorsal and anal fins dusky to blue-black, the lobes usually darker (Ref. 3197).
Biology:  Adults occur inshore (Ref. 7300), in sandy surf zones; juveniles in shallow surf zones (Ref. 4332). Adults feed on crabs, mussels, and worms (Ref. 5213).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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