The Almaco Jack, also known as a longfin yellowtail, a silver coat jack or a highfin amberjack is a fish closely related to the Greater and lesser Amberjacks, reaching a midpoint in size between the two of them, with the biggest recorded Almaco being just over 130 lbs. or just under 60 kg. with most specimens being seen at anywhere from 5-25 pounds, rarely exceeding those sizes except in rare conditions, similar to Amberjacks. These species, while common in and around the gulf of Mexico and Atlantic ocean, can also be caught in the Pacific ocean, with both the largest recorded specimen of GAJ's and AlJ's being recorded along the Japanese coast. These fish are a fun, hard fight from an angling standpoint, with most anglers slow pitch jigging or bottom fishing to catch or hook these beautiful fish. Commonly found in deeper coastal waters, with larger schools congregating around wrecks or reefs. The Almaco Jack can be distinguished from the GAJ by the tall dorsal fin, and the shorter, less torpedo shaped body. On the other fin, GAJ's are known for being so hard to target because they are very hydrodynamic, with low fins and minimum shape changes, along with being a favorite target of sharks such as bull sharks or blacktip sharks.

Above are all Almaco Jacks.

Below are all Greater AmberJacks

Amberjacks typically have a broader stripe that starts after the eye, whereas Almacojacks have a stripe that is on both sides of the eye.

It's not even funny how hard it is to find pictures of GAJs without old white men holding them.

Animal of the Day!

Almaco Jack (Seriola rivoliana)

(Photo in public domain)

Conservation Status- Least Concern

Habitat- Atlantic Ocean; Indo-Pacific Ocean

Size (Weight/Length)- 35 kg; 90 cm

Diet- Shrimp; Squid; Small fish

Cool Facts-  The almaco jack is a beast of the ocean. Capable of swimming an impressive 17 kilometers per hour, these fish value speed and stamina over everything else. Almaco jacks travel in massive schools in coastal areas, targeting groups of sardines and European squid. They force their prey into a tight ball and then strike as a single unit to scoop up mouthfuls of food. Almaco jack are essentially fearless and seek out large sharks, ranging from tiger sharks to great whites. Using the shark as a giant luffa, almaco jacks rub against the shark’s rough skin to remove any parasites or dead skin. Not wanting to pass up an opportunity, these fish will sometimes rub against scuba divers as a quick spa day.

Rating- 12/10 (I too wish I had a shark buddy.)

Requested by @almacojack-like-the-fish

Elliot and Collin (10 years old) reeling in some sweet fish! Almaco jack and American red. Excuse the hootin' and hollerin' from Mom. 🤣 #reeldealsportfishing #reeldeal #sportfishing #fishing #fish #saltaddict #clearwater #clearwaterbeach #florida #floridafishing #gulfofmexico #imonaboat #ars #redsnapper #almacojacks #teamreeldeal #kidswhofish #besties @thefishermansteve @tm_moore @nickress1 #beerfday (at Reel Deal Sportfishing) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDWMhByABuo/?igshid=1gb98rf3og4zm

Martyn and what looks like an Almaco jack from the yellowtail and amberjack family. Anyone can confirm? This one ended up as sashimi and they taste beautiful as sushi, too. . . #almacojack #yellowtail #amberjack #fishing #sportfishingasia #flyfishingasia #seaurchincharters #pennfishing #pennreels #abugarcia www.SportFishin.Asia

Busy day offshore with a great variety of fish - including some cool almaco jacks 🎣 #reeldealsportfishing #reeldeal #sportfishing #fishing #fish #saltaddict #clearwater #clearwaterbeach #florida #floridafishing #gulfofmexico #charter #trolling #bottomfishing #teamreeldeal #picoftheday #instagood #spanishmackerel #bonita #almacojacks (at Reel Deal Sportfishing) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9mAg7EAGCR/?igshid=1w9v0c7nwucpt

Reel Deal II's last 12 hour of red snapper season and these fish were caught at one spot, along with some released amberjacks. Amazing charter and the kids caught all the cool fish! 😎 #reeldealsportfishing #reeldeal #sportfishing #fishing #fish #saltaddict #clearwater #clearwaterbeach #florida #floridafishing #gulfofmexico #imonaboat #ars #redsnapper #yellowtailsnapper #mangrovesnapper #carboritagrouper #amberjack #almacojack #barracuda #teamreeldeal (at Reel Deal Sportfishing) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDWiVOCAmre/?igshid=1ve3eyoz8418w