Amberjack

Encounters with amberjacks occur predominantly over deep rocky reefs, seaward drop-offs, offshore caves, and artificial structures such as shipwrecks. Adults typically frequent depths between 18 and 72 metres, though they can range as deep as 360 metres. Juveniles and smaller individuals under 3 kg inhabit shallower waters around 7.6 metres, often sheltering beneath floating *Sargassum* algae or oceanic debris. Scuba divers should maintain neutral buoyancy and avoid rapid movements, allowing these curious predators to approach naturally. Observing them around underwater structures provides the best chance to see their schooling and hunting behaviours. In Belize, spawning courtship involves schools of around 120 individuals assembling during full and waning moons. Divers should also remain mindful of open water, as amberjacks are prey for larger pelagic species such as yellowfin tuna and sharks. Finally, divers should note that large amberjacks sitting at the apex of reef food webs can harbour ciguatoxins.

Seasonal movements and aggregations of amberjacks are heavily tied to their reproductive cycles. Greater amberjacks mature between 3 and 5 years of age and undergo seasonal migrations to deep water to spawn, primarily from late spring to early summer (March to June). In regions such as the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic, fishery closures take place during peak spawning months—such as April in the South Atlantic and March through May in the Gulf—to protect aggregating populations on reefs and shipwrecks. Off the coast of Belize, courtship and pairing behaviour within large schools of roughly 120 individuals have been recorded between February and October, occurring primarily during the full or waning moon phases. In temperate zones, sighting frequency increases during warmer months when fish move into coastal waters or shallow bays.

Amberjacks occupy a wide array of marine environments across the globe, ranging from temperate and subtropical to tropical ocean waters. In the Western Atlantic, they range from Nova Scotia down to Brazil, including Bermuda, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. In the Eastern Atlantic, they are recorded from the British Isles and Bay of Biscay south to Morocco and throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Their Indian Ocean distribution spans South Africa to the Persian Gulf, Western Australia, and Tasmania, while in the Pacific they reach from southern Japan to Hawaii and Micronesia. Vertically, amberjacks are epibenthic and pelagic inhabitants found over rocky reefs, offshore drop-offs, deep seaward walls, and artificial structures like shipwrecks. Depth distribution ranges from shallow waters of 7.6 metres for juveniles up to 360 metres for deep-dwelling adults, though mature fish are most commonly observed between 18 and 72 metres.

Amberjacks are voracious, highly opportunistic predators whose feeding habits shift dramatically as they mature. Early stage juveniles feed primarily on plankton, including crustacean larvae and other small invertebrates. Upon reaching lengths of 8 to 12 centimetres, juveniles transition to consuming larger benthic and nektonic organisms, becoming almost exclusively piscivorous once they exceed 20 centimetres in length. Adult amberjacks target a wide range of prey, feeding primarily on pelagic and benthic fishes such as sardines and bigeye scad. Their diet also includes cephalopods like squid, as well as various crustaceans including crabs. Adults hunt opportunistically over deep substrate, reef walls, and submerged structures, utilizing their speed and schooling coordination to corner and capture fast-swimming prey in open water and near the sea floor.