amberjack a common name for fish of the genus Seriola. The Mediterranean species, S. dumerili, one of the largest (up to 125 cm/50") and best known, also occurs in the Caribbean region, on the eastern seaboards of S. and N. America, and in the warmer parts of the Indo-Pacific. Its name was bestowed because it has yellow (amber) streaks running along its sides and belongs to the family of fish (Carangidae) loosely referred to as jacks.
Just how many other species there are in the genus seems to be uncertain, but there is no doubt about S. lalandi, which is well known in Australia as yellowtail kingfish and in California as Californian yellowtail, and occurs elsewhere too (e.g. S. Africa, Argentina).
