Giant trevally

Photo: Nikolai Vladimirov · CC BY-NC

The largest member of the trevally family, giant trevally are formidable ambush and pursuit predators that target reef fish, crustaceans, and even seabirds skimming the surface. They hunt cooperatively in pairs or small groups at dawn and dusk, driving prey against the reef or the surface where it cannot escape. At Dodola, large individuals of 50 to 80 cm are resident on the outer reef wall, holding position in the current alongside dog-tooth tuna. Their tolerance of divers at this remote site, where they experience almost no fishing pressure, allows extended close-range observation.