Fish

Amberjack Yellowtail

Seriola dumerili

The greater amberjack, a hard-pulling reef jack running to 80 kg that holds over reefs and deep offshore holes from Algoa Bay northward.

Also known as groot geelstert

Amberjack Yellowtail
Photo: Luis P. B. · CC BY-NC 4.0
Typical size
Attains 188 cm and 80.6 kg
Habitat
Reefs and deep offshore holes
Depth
20-70 m

The greater amberjack is bluish-grey to olive above and silvery-white below, often with an amber stripe running along the midline of the body and mostly dusky fins. It is a heavyweight, attaining 188 cm and 80.6 kg though common to about a metre.

Adults hold usually in 20 to 70 m, over reefs or at deep offshore holes, either solitary or in small to moderate schools. It ranges from Algoa Bay to the Persian Gulf, Japan, Australia and Hawaii, and is a powerful, highly regarded gamefish.