Common Dart

Trachinotus botla

The Common Dart, a member of the Carangidae family, is a marine and brackish water fish found in tropical regions. It is distributed across the Indian Ocean from Somalia and Kenya to Algoa Bay in South Africa, and is also present around Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and western Australia. This species is commonly seen inshore, particularly in sandy surf zones where adults thrive, while juveniles are often found in the shallower parts of these areas. Identifiable by its fusiform shape, the Common Dart is bluish black on top and silvery below. It features 1-5 large spots near its lateral line, which become more prominent as the fish ages. The fins, including the caudal, second dorsal, and anal fins, range from dusky to blue-black, with darker lobes. The species can grow up to 75 cm in total length, with a common length of around 60 cm, and can weigh as much as 2.3 kg. Divers encountering the Common Dart might observe its active swimming behavior as it feeds on crabs, mussels, and worms. The fish is considered harmless to humans and holds a status of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. While it is involved in minor commercial fisheries, it is also popular as a gamefish.