Golden Trevally (Gnathanodon Speciosus)

Species Name : Gnathanodon Speciosus

Care Level : Expert

Color : Yellow, Black                                                                                        

Diet : Carnivore                                                                                            

Temperament: Semi-aggressive                                                                                 

Reef Compatible : No   

Water Conditions : 75-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025

Size : 47 inches                             

Origin: Indo-Pacific  

Family : Carangidae

Tank Size : 300 gallons

The Golden Trevally (Gnathanodon Speciosus), also known as the Golden Kingfish, Banded Trevally or King Trevally, is a species of large marine fish classified in the jack and horse mackerel family Carangidae.

The Golden Trevally's colour is the species most prominent distinguishing feature, and for which it acquired its common names. Juveniles are a bright golden yellow colour over their entire body and all fins, with 7 to 11 black vertical crossbars all over their body. These bars generally alternate between broad and narrow. The caudal fin lobes have dark tips and there is a prominent black edge to the operculum. As the fish grows, the body becomes more silver to silvery golden and the cross bars fade or disappear, often replaced by dark blotches. The fins remain yellow, often with greenish tinges. The dark edge of the operculum also fades with age. The adults have a more solid silver color. The Golden Trevally is a relatively large fish, growing to a maximum recorded size of 120 cm (47 in) in length and 15.0 kg in weight.

They prefer a flock, and more than one can be kept in a 300 gallon tank. Best maintained in large fish-only aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space. They are diurnal, which means they are active during the day and sleep at night. Because the Pilotfish is a schooling fish, they thrive best in groups.

Both males and females are very similar, and it is very difficult to distinguish them from each other, reproduce by spawning.

They are carnivores and eat by extending their mouths into a long tube-like shape and taking a big bite of the sand. This is then filtered through their gill rakers, keeping all the bits they want before either spitting out the sand or expelling it through the gills. They will eat pretty much anything in the sand from crustaceans and molluscs to small fish.

As to diet, will take a wide variety of frozen and fresh meaty foodstuffs, including ornamental crustaceans and small fishes, and should be fed at least once per day.