Species profile
Bar Jack
Caranx ruber
Identify Bar Jack (Caranx ruber) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Bar Jack (Caranx ruber) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 294 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in Florida.
Notable details
- Has a bold dark stripe running from its dorsal fin to the tail tip.
- Can rapidly shift body color between silvery and much darker hues.
- Often follows sharks and rays, darting in to grab prey they flush out.
- Typically reaches about 22 inches and can weigh up to 11 pounds.
- Found throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico around coral reefs.
Where Bar Jack are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Bar Jack
Background
The bar jack, also known as the carbonero, cojinúa, red jack, blue-striped cavalla or passing jack, is a common species of inshore marine fish classified in the jack family, Carangidae. The bar jack is distributed through the western Atlantic Ocean from New Jersey and Bermuda in the north to Venezuela and possibly Brazil in the south, with the largest population in the Gulf of Mexico and West…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Bar Jack article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Bar Jack?
Bar Jack (Caranx ruber) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Bar Jack?
Bar Jack is Caranx ruber.
Is Bar Jack regulated for fishing?
Yes — Bar Jack has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Bar Jack?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Bar Jack along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.