Turrum gymnostethus (Cuvier, 1833)
Bludger
Turrum gymnostethus
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos), subfamily: Caranginae
Max. size:  90 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 15 kg
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 12 - 100 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to New Caledonia, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef. Recently reported from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28-32; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 25-26. Description: Olive green dorsally, shading to silvery white on sides with few brown or golden spots sometimes present midlaterally. Body ovate and compressed, becoming more elongate with growth. Head and nape profile gently convex, becoming less steep with age. Breast scaleless ventrally to behind origin of pelvic fins. LL scutes small 20-31. Both jaws with bands of villiform teeth, widest anteriorly. (Ref. 90102)
Biology:  Adults inhabit deep offshore reefs (Ref. 9710, 48635). They are found near corals and rocks. Large individuals are solitary. They feed on shrimp and small fish (Ref. 5213). Juveniles form small schools. Excellent food fish (Ref. 12484). Minimum depth range based on occurrence (Ref. 11897); to be replaced with a better reference.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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