Greater Amberjack

Photo: Falk Viczian Solarboot-Projekte gGmbH · CC BY-NC

Schools of amberjack patrol the open water around Mamula's southern point from May through October, hunting in coordinated bursts that scatter baitfish in silver explosions visible from the dive boat. They reach 1.8 metres and are among the fastest sustained swimmers in the Adriatic, using the island's current acceleration as an energetic advantage. Juvenile amberjack shelter near jellybell margins and floating debris, exploiting chemical camouflage before they are large enough to hunt in open water.