Eastern Australian Salmon, Arripis trutta (Forster, 1801)
The Eastern Australian Salmon has also been called the Australian Salmon, Bay Trout, Black Back, Buck Salmon, Cocky Salmon, Colonial Salmon and Kahawai.
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© Sascha Schulz
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Arripis
- Species
- trutta
- Family
- Arripidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- It grows to 89 cm in length.
Introduction
New South Wales divers often see large schools of Eastern Australian Salmon while swimming in shallow coastal waters.
Identification
The Eastern Australian Salmon has a moderately elongate body with a long based dorsal fin and a large forked caudal fin. It has small eyes and a relatively large mouth.
The species is silvery below and darker above. The small pectoral fins are yellowish.
Habitat
The species occurs over sandy seabeds. Juveniles are usually seen in bays and estuaries. Adults are found in coastal waters
Distribution
The Eastern Australian Salmon occurs in temperate Australian and New Zealand waters.
In Australia it is known from southern Queensland to Tasmania.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Feeding and diet
Dietary items include zooplankton and fishes.
Other behaviours and adaptations
It is a schooling species.
References
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
