| Green jack | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Carangiformes |
| Family: | Carangidae |
| Genus: | Caranx |
| Species: | C. caballus
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| Binomial name | |
| Caranx caballus Günther, 1868
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| Approximate range of the green jack | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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The green jack (Caranx caballus), also known as the horse jack, is an abundant species of coastal marine fish in the jack family Carangidae. The species is distributed in the eastern Pacific Ocean along the American coastline from Santa Cruz Island off California in the north to Peru in the south, as well as a number of islands including the Galapagos and recently, Hawaii. The green jack is distinguished from other similar carangid species by a number of features including gill raker and lateral line scale counts, and the presence of an adipose eyelid. It is a moderately large species, growing to at least 55 cm in length and 2.81 kg, although unconfirmed reports suggest a much larger maximum size. It lives in a wide range of continental shelf environments including estuaries, bays, reefs and offshore seamounts, living both pelagically and demersally. The green jack is a predatory species, preying on a variety of fish, crustaceans and cephalopods, as well as zooplankton. Most fish are sexually mature by the time they attain 38 cm, with spawning occurring between May and October. The species is of high importance to fisheries throughout its range, caught by pelagic trawls, a variety of netting methods and hook and line. The green jack is also of interest to anglers, taken by bait and lures, although is considered to only be fair in eating quality.
- ^ a b Smith-Vaniz, B.; Robertson, R.; Dominici-Arosemena, A.; Molina, H. (2010). "Caranx caballus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T183579A8138427. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T183579A8138427.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.