carangid

carangid
/keuh ran"jid/, n.
1. any of numerous fishes of the family Carangidae, comprising the jacks, scads, pompanos, and cavallas.
adj.
2. belonging or pertaining to the family Carangidae.
[1885-90; < NL Carangidae, equiv. to Carang- (s. of Caranx a genus; see CARANGOID) + -idae -ID2]

* * *

fish
 any fish of the family Carangidae (order Perciformes), which contains more than 200 species of marine fishes, including such well-known forms as the jacks and pompanos. Carangids are swift, predatory, usually silvery fishes found throughout the world in warm and tropical regions. They are primarily marine, but some live in brackish water or may invade fresh water.

      The members of the family vary greatly in form, from elongated and streamlined to very deep-bodied and thin from side to side. In general, however, they bear the following features in common: two dorsal fins, the first of which may be reduced to a few small spines; anal and second dorsal fins usually high in front; first two anal spines separated from the third; pectoral fins slim and often sickle-shaped; tail base very slender; tail strong, either forked or crescent-shaped; scales small; and a lateral line (a series of small sense organs along the sides of the body) often partly or wholly covered with large, hard, keeled scales (scutes).

      Many of the carangids are small, but some grow to a large size. The greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), for example, reaches a length and weight of about 1.8 m (6 feet) and 70 kg (150 pounds). The members of the family are known by various common names. There are the moonfish, pompano, pilot fish, runner, jack (qq.v.), and others. One of the most unusual-looking carangids is the lookdown (Selene vomer), with an exceptionally thin body and high “forehead.” The first rays of the second dorsal fin extend into filaments that reach to the tail. Many of these fishes are valued for food or sport. Certain species, however, such as the greater amberjack and several jacks, may at times carry a toxic substance in their flesh and, when eaten, cause ciguatera, a form of poisoning.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • carangid — adj. of or pertaining to the {Carangidae}. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • carangid — n. any fish of the family {Carangidae}, including the {cavallas}, {jacks}, {pompanos} and {scads}. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • carangid — [kə ran′jid΄] n. [< ModL < Sp caranga, horse mackerel, shad] JACK (sense 10a) carangoid [kəraŋ′goid΄] adj …   English World dictionary

  • carangid — adjective Etymology: ultimately from French carangue shad, horse mackerel, from Spanish caranga Date: 1931 of or relating to a large family (Carangidae of the order Perciformes) of marine spiny finned bony fishes including important food fishes • …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • carangid — /kəˈræŋgəd/ (say kuh rangguhd), / ˈrændʒəd/ (say ranjuhd) adjective 1. of or relating to the Carangidae, a family of marine fishes as the trevally, horse mackerel, etc., having the body tapering sharply towards a forked or lunate tail and… …  

  • carangid — I noun a percoid fish of the family Carangidae • Syn: ↑carangid fish • Hypernyms: ↑percoid fish, ↑percoid, ↑percoidean • Hyponyms: ↑jack …   Useful english dictionary

  • carangid fish — noun a percoid fish of the family Carangidae • Syn: ↑carangid • Derivationally related forms: ↑carangid (for: ↑carangid) • Hypernyms: ↑percoid fish, ↑percoid, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • caràngid — ca|ràn|gid Mot Pla Nom masculí …   Diccionari Català-Català

  • carangid — n. type of sea fish of the family Carangidae …   English contemporary dictionary

  • carangid — [kə randʒɪd] noun Zoology a marine fish of the jack family (Carangidae), typically with a sloping forehead and two dorsal fins. Origin C19: from mod. L. Carangidae, from the genus name Caranx …   English new terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”