Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Carangidae
Genus: Gnathanodon
Species: G. Speciosus

Native to the eastern Pacific Ocean from southern California to Ecuador, it is associated with reefs and usually found within the upper ten m (30 ft) of the surface.

Golden trevally are schooling fish which often follow other large fish, such as sharks, as well as SCUBA divers, for protection from predators. They feed on small fishes and on benthic crustaceans and other invertebrates.